Admin, Author at Daily Dog Discoveries

Dog Word of the Day: Watchdog

June 27, 2016February 24, 2016 by Admin

The term watchdog is often used interchangeably with the word guard dog, but there are clear distinctions between the two. Unlike the guard dog (which should only be trained by professionals as it requires an extremely high level of refined training), the watch dog is not meant to physically restrain or attack intruders. Generally, the term watchdog is used to depict a dog who simply keeps an eye on his surroundings and who will sound the alarm if something is amiss. Ideally, a good watch dog should be able to discriminate between normal and abnormal activity. Not all dogs have what it takes to make a good watch dog.

A Look Back

For centuries, mankind has relied on a dog’s barking behavior. Back in time, when humans lived in ancient campsites, dogs were used as an effective warning system, alerting humans of invading tribes and dangerous predators. Unlike wolves, coyotes, foxes and jackals which rarely barked, humans likely appreciated the fact that the early dogs were capable of emitting loud and persistent vocalizations. Most likely, humans,back then, must have selectively bred dogs for their watchdog capabilities. The dogs with the louder barks were allowed to reproduce while the ones that rarely barked were disposed of.

This may explain the divergence in barking behaviors between dogs and wild canines, suggests Stanley Coren in the book “How To Speak Dog: Mastering the Art of Dog-Human Communication.” Interestingly, selectively breeding dogs for barking wasn’t likely an arduous task. When it comes to passing down the barking trait, barking appears to be a dominant gene. When the for-the-most-part silent basenji was bred with the noisier cocker spaniel in an experiment by Scott & Fuller, the result was a litter of dogs with a vivid predisposition to bark.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Dogs Who Cry Wolf

Did you ever hear about Aesop’s fable,”The Boy Who Cried Wolf?” In this fable, a shepherd boy repeatedly tricks villagers into thinking that a wolf is attacking his flock of sheep. “A wolf, a wolf!” the boy would scream as all the alarmed villagers gathered. After several repetitions, the villagers learned to no longer pay attention to the boy’s false alarms. The day though when a wolf really appeared, none of the villagers believed the boy’s cries so all the sheep ended up eaten by the wolf. Moral of the story? Dogs who are hyper alert and constantly bark at every single leaf falling from a tree don’t make good watchdogs. Bark after bark, just like the villagers of Aesop’s fable, the owners learn to ignore the constant senseless barking, even on that infamous day when a burglar is entering the home. Often, being hyper alert is based on fear and is seen in dogs who haven’t been socialized enough.

A Movie and Pop-Corn

On the other side of the spectrum are dogs who are overly placid and sluggish, making them poor watch dogs. Should a burglar make it into their property, they might greet him like a long-lost friend and maybe even invite him over for a movie and some popcorn. Some dog breeds have a reputation for making poor watchdogs with a too friendly “feel free to come over” attitude. They may not bark at the intruder fiddling with the lock, but they may go bonkers when they see the neighbor’s cat. Some dog breeds were selectively bred for certain tasks and keeping an eye on their surrounding may be on their low end of their “to-do list”. Stanley Coren in his book the Intelligence of Dogs lists a dozen dogs breeds with a reputation for making poor watchdogs.

The Top 12 Worst Watchdogs

Bloodhound
Newfoundland
Saint Bernard
Basset hound
English Bulldog
Old English Sheepdog
Clumber Spaniel
Irish Wolfhound
Scottish Deerhound
Pug
Siberian Husky
Alaskan Malamute.

The Ideal Watchdog

The ideal watchdog is alert and will sound the alarm when something really deserves the owner’s attention. A good watchdog will keep an eye on people walking by, but will only bark if something unusual happens. It’s as if these dogs were saying ‘Hey, owner something’s up!” Barking for the most part when something is out of the ordinary is a fundamental quality of a good watchdog. Hypervigilance or sluggishness are not good traits in a good watchdog. Stanley Coren in his book the Intelligence of Dogs lists 15 breeds with the best watchdog capabilities. The list is in descending order with the best watchdog breeds at the very top.

yorkshire watchdog — Size doesn’t matter in a good watchdog.

The 15 Best Watchdogs

Rottweiler
German Shepard
Scottish Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer
Yorkshire Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Chihuahua
Airedale
Poodle (Standard or Miniature)
Boston Terrier
Shih Tzu
Dachshund
Silky Terrier
Fox Terrier.

A Grain of Salt

While lists of best and worst watchdog breeds may be helpful, they must be taken with a grain of salt. Dog behavior is the result of many variables and a dog’s ability to make a good or poor watchdog varies based on genetics, level of socialization, life experiences and training. Dogs are individuals, and as such, their watchdog capabilities vary even within a certain breed.

While many watchdogs are naturally inclined to sound the alarm, some dogs may benefit from some guidance to learn how to discriminate what’s worthy of barking from what is not. The best way to reinforce good watchdog barking is to acknowledge the stimulus and thank the dog for a well-done job!

References:

Scott JP, Fuller JL (1965) Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 273-276.
Stanley Coren, How To Speak Dog: Mastering the Art of Dog-Human Communication, Atria Books; New edition edition (September 21, 2010)
Dr. Justine Lee, It’s a Dog’s Life…but It’s Your Carpet: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know, Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (April 1, 2008)
Stanley Coren, The Intelligence of Dogs, Atria Books; Reissue edition (January 5, 2006)

Photo Credits:

Francis Barlow’s illustration of the fable, “The Boy who Cried Wolf”, called by him DE PASTORIS PUERO ET AGRICOLIS, 1687, public domain,

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

What are Snowshoe Feet in Dogs?

June 27, 2016February 23, 2016 by Admin

It’s Tuesday Trivia and today we are discovering interesting facts about snowshoe feet in dogs. What exactly are snowshoe feet in dogs? Our references state that only certain breeds have this type of specialized feet and that they’re purposely crafted in such a way as to make walking on snow much easier. Interestingly, when it comes to thriving in a certain habitat, Mother Nature makes sure that animals are blessed with certain adaptations to help them live well within their home environment. The way feet are structured can help make a great difference on how dogs walk on rough, winter terrains. So today’s trivia question is:

What are snowshoe feet?

A: Neat and round feet with high-arched toes closely held together

B: Feet with two centered toes that are longer than the outside and inside toes.

C: Compact oval feet with well-arched toes and fur between them.

D: Deeply webbed feet with toes connected by a skin membrane.

The correct answer is, drum roll please..

Answer:

If you answered A, feet that are neat and round with high-arched toes closely held together, consider that this is the actual definition of another type of foot: cat feet to be exact. If you answered B, feet with two centered toes that are longer than the outside and inside toes, this is the actual definition of another type of foot: hare feet to be exact. If you answered D, webbed feet with toes connected by a skin membrane, that’s actually a characteristic found in dogs who were selectively bred to work in the water. So the correct answer is C, compact oval feet with well-arched toes and fur between them. Let’s take a closer look at snowshoe feet in dogs, shall we?

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Most of us know that snowshoes are specialized shoes crafted for human use. This footwear is built in such a way as to allow people to walk over snow without sinking into it, a quality known as “flotation.” To prevent sinking in the snow, the snowshoe distributes the person’s weight over a larger area. The snowshoes are also built in such as way as to not accumulate snow as people walk. Before the development of snowshoes, Mother Nature had gifted animals with special feet that made walking on the snow easy. The snowshoe hare, as the name implies, evolved with over sized feet so he could move more efficiently over the snow.

Dog Breeds with Snowshoe Feet

Among dogs, a couple of dog breeds have snowshoe feet meant to help them navigate more efficiently through the snow fields. Just like snowshoes, their paws are large so to distribute their weight across a greater surface area, a quality that prevents them from sinking into the snow.

The breed standard for the Alaskan malamute calls for large, snowshoe feet with fur growing between the toes. The AKC Finnish lapphund standard, a northern type of dog, describes this breed’s feet as being “well arched, oval rather than round, with toes slightly spread, to act as a snowshoe.”

“The feet are of the snowshoe type, tight and deep, with well-cushioned pads, giving a firm, compact appearance. The feet are large, toes tight fitting and well arched. There is a protective growth of hair between the toes. The pads are thick and tough; toenails short and strong.” American Kennel Club Alaskan Malamute breed standard.

Interestingly, the fur between the toes also offers an advantage when walking over snow. According to the book “Meet the Breeds: A Guide to More Than 200 AKC Breeds” edited by The American Kennel Club, the fur is there for protective purposes. That fur protects these dog’s feet while pulling sleds over ice and snow. However, that same fur that helps these dogs in arctic habitats may cause problems in domestic settings. Many owners report that hair between the toes makes some dogs prone to slipping when walking on tiles or hardwood floors.

References:

American Kennel Club, Finish Lapphund standard, retrieved from the web on February 23rd, 2016.
American Kennel Club, Glossary, retrieved from the web on February 23rd, 2016.
“Meet the Breeds: A Guide to More Than 200 AKC Breeds” edited by The American Kennel Club, i5 Press; 5 edition (February 16, 2016)

Photo Credits:

An adult Alaskan Malamute, by Richard Bartz, CC BY-SA 2.5

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

I am Your Dog’s Kidneys

June 27, 2016February 22, 2016 by Admin

It’s Monday Marvels and today we’ll be discovering more about our dog’s marvelous kidneys. We often take our dog’s kidneys for granted and it’s unfortunate that we usually only acknowledge them when they start giving problems. Regular check-ups can help keep tabs on the health status of this important organ. There are also many things that can be done to keep a dog’s kidneys in good shape. Let’s see what our dog’s kidneys have to talk about.

Introducing the Dog’s Kidneys

Hello, it your dog’s kidney talking! Like several others organs you have met in our past series, I am not very appealing when it comes to looks. I am a paired organ (yes, there’s two of us!) that is reddish brown in color and shaped like a kidney bean, but hey, looks are not everything! I am part of your dog’s urinary system and serve many important functions when it comes to your dog’s health. Indeed, I am so important, Mother Nature has gifted your dog (and you!) with two kidneys, one on the right side, and one on the left side, just to cover the eventuality that one might no longer work as it should.

I am a Filtration System

I am mainly known for my state-of-the-art filtration system. Sorting non-recyclable waste from recyclable waste is something I do on a daily bases, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You see, blood passes through me continuously and my job is to clean and filter it, removing waste products that otherwise would be deadly. In some sort of way, I work in a similar fashion as a water filter. Filtration of blood occurs thanks to my hundreds of thousands of nephrons, special filtration elements that work diligently in filtering all the bad stuff out. My nephrons are quite tough cookies, just consider that should 75 percent of them no longer work, I will still be able to function. Yes, your dog can well live with only one kidney!

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Minerals, vitamins and all the goodies your dog gets from food, I make sure they are absorbed, but if there’s anything in excess, or notice things that shouldn’t be there, I send them down to my neighbor, the bladder, a storage unit that will hold urine. Urea is a big waste product I have to deal with quite frequently. It’s produced from the digestion of protein. If I fail to remove urea properly, uremic poisoning can take place.

I am a Monitoring System

I am a monitoring system that keeps an eye on your dog’s electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, sugars, and proteins and make sure they are in the right amounts. I also make sure that your dog’s blood isn’t too acid or alkaline. Oh, and if your dog isn’t drinking too much, I take a conservative approach. Your dog’s brain sends a hormone my way that informs me about the outage of water, so I’ ll hold on to fluids by concentrating your dog’s urine at least until he starts to drinks more. “Homeostasis” is what vets call the work I do to ensure that the fluids in your dog’s body are balanced correctly. Luckily, I can discard anything in excess by dumping it in the urine so your dog is out of harm’s way.

I am a Production System

I produce a substance that helps with the creation of new red blood cells and I also manufacture certain types of hormones. And of course, as you already know, I produce urine which is delivered to the bladder through two ureter tubes, one attached to the left kidney and one attached to the right one. At night, I fortunately slow down my urine productivity, otherwise you would have to take Rover on frequent trips to potty preventing you from getting enough sleep. Again during this time, I will retain all the water I can to keep your dog still hydrated during this time. This is why your dog’s morning urine is normally more concentrated.

When Things Go Wrong

When I get sick, vets talk about “renal disease” which is just another name for kidney disease. There are several things that can go wrong with me. Usually, I start giving signs trouble as dogs begin to age, causing the onset of chronic kidney disease, but sometimes dogs can get into things they shouldn’t, and when that happens, I suddenly cause severe symptoms that are associated with acute kidney disease. Here are a few details about these disorders.

Chronic Kidney Disease

As mentioned, when dogs age they are more prone to having problems with me. You see, as I age along with the dog, I may start failing and lose my ability to concentrate urine, which leads to dogs producing large quantities of diluted urine. When this happens, dogs lose a lot of fluids and become dehydrated which causes them to drink more. Dehydration may also cause dogs to develop loss of appetite. Because I can’t longer excrete waste products as before, these may accumulate in the blood and this can make dogs quite ill. Affected dogs may develop vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and anemia. Other than aging, any type of damage occurring to me may also put a dent in my ability to work well. Remember how I said that I can still work decently even if several of my nephrons have been damaged? Well, while this is remarkable, there’s a big down side, I show signs of kidney disease when 2/3 of my nephrons in both kidneys have been lost. Unfortunately, at this point things get critical. All that can be done is slow down the progression of the disease.

Acute Kidney Disease

While chronic kidney disease in dogs causes me to deteriorate gradually, acute chronic failure develops abruptly and I cause severe symptoms that will hopefully alert dog owners so they can get help in time. Things can get critical when a dog laps up antifreeze in the winter as dogs are attracted by its sweet taste. Infections, chemical poisons and trauma are other potential culprits that have damaging effects on me. Vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dehydration, neurological signs and urinating in small amounts or not urinating at all are symptoms of problems.

Monitoring my Health

Luckily, there are several diagnostic tests that may reveal signs of trouble. A urinarlysis for example can tell a whole lot about me. Are there abnormal amounts of protein in your dog ‘s urine? There should not be, this may be a sign that I am not doing a good job in removing stuff. Most likely my filters are letting some escape from the blood. Are there casts in your dog’s urine? The presence of casts in dog urine sediment is know as “cylindruria” and may also indicate a kidney issue. Blood tests may be helpful too. Abnormal levels of BUN in your dog’s blood, which stands for blood urea nitrogen, can be indicative of problems. Again, the presence of abnormal levels of nitrogen-containing urea compounds in the blood is a sign that I am not working well, as I would normally excrete these. Creatinine in the blood is also a sign of trouble. I am the only organ that excretes this substance, so if it’s in high levels in the dog’s blood, it’s again a sign of me not doing my job.

Keeping me In Good Shape

You can keep me in good shape by ensuring your dog has always access to fresh, clean water. I love water! Feeding your dog a high-quality diet can help keep me in top shape. Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can make me work harder, so if your vet has your dog on certain medications, make sure to follow his advice of getting me checked out every now and then. And of course avoid exposure to toxins and anything harmful! Antifreeze, grapes and raisins are just a few things out of a long list of toxins that can cause renal failure, cautions veterinarian Dr. Lorie Houston.

As seen, I play a very important role in your dog’s health! People should re-think featuring hearts on Valentine’s Day cards as the heart isn’t the only vital organ. I hope they may feature me too one day! In the meanwhile, keep me in your thoughts and safe from harm as much as you can, your dog and I will thank you!

Respectfully yours,

Your Dog’s Kidneys.

References:

College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University, Chronic Kidney Disease and Failure, retrieved from the web on Febuary 22nd, 2016
Vet Stream, Acute Kidney Injury, retrieved from the web on Febuary 22nd, 2016
Pet Education, Kidney Disease, Causes, Signs, Diagnosis and Treatment retrieved from the web on Febuary 22nd, 2016
Pet Education, Urinary System in Mammals: Anatomy and Function, retrieved from the web on Febuary 22nd, 2016

Photo credits:

Kidney Cross Section, artwork by Holly Fischer, CC BY 3.0
A BRITA kettle, boiling water that has passed from the top reservoir through a filter element (white) into the main jug at the bottom. Public domain

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Puppy Sibling Rivalry, It’s More Than Just Conflict

June 27, 2016February 21, 2016 by Admin

Sibling rivalry isn’t limited to children, puppies can develop a form of sibling rivalry too. It often happens when dog owners adopt two littermate puppies or non-related puppies that are around the same age. To prevent sibling rivalry and its associated challenges, many reputable breeders will refuse to sell two sibling puppies at once. Backyard breeders and pet stores? They may care less, their main concern being that your check won’t bounce back so they can cash in double the profits.

Sibling Rivalry in Children

According to Kyla L Boyse, with the Department of Pediatrics & Communicable Diseases at University of Michigan Health System, in children sibling rivalry occurs as the siblings are competing on figuring out who they are as individuals and work on developing their own talents, interests and activities to show how they are different from each other. Competition over parent attention may also create conflict especially when the children feel like they’re getting unequal amounts of attention.

To address sibling rivalry in children, Kyla L. Boyse suggests ensuring that each child has enough time and space of their own and encouraging cooperation rather than competition. Paying attention to when the conflict occurs is also helpful as sometimes there’s a pattern. Siblings are often more likely to pick up fights when they are hungry, bored or tired.

Sibling Rivalry in Animals

Among animals, it’s interesting to note that sibling rivalry isn’t unusual. It may be more pronounced though in certain species compared to others. In it most extreme form, it may lead to “siblicide,” where one sibling kills the other. This is sometimes observed in birds when resources are scarce. By killing the sibling, the surviving bird has eliminated competition thus upping the chances for survival. This survival mechanism could also offer an advantage for the parent which no longer has to waste time and energy on feeding offspring that would likely not survive anyway.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Siblicide is also seen in the spotted hyena. According to Frank J. Sulloway, an American psychologist, unlike other carnivores, hyena pups are born with a set of fully erupted teeth, which can result in the death of 25 percent of offspring by their siblings. On a lighter note, not all animal species are prone to such extreme forms of rivalry. In wolves, older siblings actually help out in rearing the youngsters.

Sibling Rivalry in Puppies

Among puppies, sibling rivalry is a fairly common occurrence in littermates. The most severe forms are usually seen among female littermates. It’s important to point out out that not all siblings develop sibling rivalry. There are several reports of dog owners raising two sibling puppies at once without any particular problems. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean everything is 100 percent fine. In some cases, the signs may be there but they may be subtle enough to be barely noticed. We often think of sibling rivalry as conflict over access to toys, attention, food, but there’s often more going on. Sibling puppies are prone to developing littermate syndrome which leads to further problems down the road. What are the signs of littermate syndrome in puppies?

Half Pup Syndrome

Generally, when two littermates are adopted, one puppy appears to be more confident while the other one is shy. However, this “confidence” may only be apparent when the puppy is in company of his sibling. Separate “Mr. Confidence” from his sibling and he may become insecure and shy. It’s not uncommon for littermate puppies to become so overly attached to each other that they become anxious when separated, even if they’re just parted for brief periods of time. This over-attachment may cause the puppies to fail to reach their full developmental potential leading them to become “half-pups.”

“Another common situation that is rather problematical is when two littermates are raised together. This sort of arrangement is rarely recommended, since very often one of the puppies seems to flourish while the sibling is overshadowed and fails to achieve its potential.” ~Steven R. Lindsay

Training & Socialization Challenges

Puppies may not be able to focus on the owner when in company of each other. They are often distracted from each others’ presence. This strong bond among siblings may interfere with their ability to learn basic obedience skills as the owner is often left out of the equation. To further aggravate things, because the puppies have each other, owners may fail to provide adequate socialization which can lead to fearful behaviors towards strangers, other dogs and novel stimuli. To overcome these challenges, puppy owners should plan separate walks, separate training and socialization sessions and separate play sessions for significant portions of the day. As in dealing with sibling rivalry in children, providing individual attention is crucial. Sibling puppies should also sleep in different areas and not share the crate. Basically it boils down to having the pups spend the majority of their time with their owners rather than with each other.

“Functionally what I’ve seen is that the pups are simply harder to train. It’s just hard to get their attention. They are so busy playing with each other (or squabbling, more on that later), that you become the odd man out. I imagine that we humans become more like party poopers that interfere in their fun with their playmates” ~Patricia McConnell

Potty Training Issues

Many people who get two litter mates may assume that getting two litter mates makes potty training easier. After all, all you need to do is take them out at the same time, right? Wrong. Last time we checked, littermates didn’t come with coordinated bladders and bowels. So don’t assume potty training will be a breeze, chances are high that you may take both puppies out, one may urinate, the other may defecate. Then once inside, the puppy that urinated defecates in the middle of the rug. As you clean up the mess, the puppy that defecated, urinates on the floor. You clean up that mess. Then, an hour later as you get a glass of water, you stumble on another mess, who did that? With two pups, you’ll have to increase supervision and keep an eagle eye on both pups which can become challenging at times.

Subtle Signs of Problems

As mentioned, separating sibling pups to prevent excessive bonding is crucial. As an owner of two (now fully grown) littermate puppies, I can attest how important this is. Fortunately, I was a very determined “stay at home” puppy raiser that was doing my very best to make things work out. While fortunately my pups didn’t show drastic effects of over bonding, I must confess that they were there, only the effects became visible when I had to separate the siblings for several months as I took one dog with me to continue my education out of state. During this trip, I noticed a gradual yet steady change in my dog. I must precise that my dog wasn’t a bad dog before by any means, but after leaving her brother behind, I noticed that she started getting more tuned in towards me and she even started relying on me more for play or simple companionship. I guess I got a taste of how it must have felt had she had been the only dog.

This to me is proof that just because sibling dogs are getting along well and they seem to be maturing just fine, doesn’t necessarily mean that they haven’t been affected by their bond. It may be that the effects of being littermates are just subtle or we have assumed them to be the “norm” until that day we separate them and start noticing what they missed out. These ‘bonded pairs’ may simply not be as good as they might have been had they been on their own. But don’t just take my word for that, there are plenty of behavior professionals claiming how counterproductive it may be to let two pups bond excessively with each other. This is why dog behaviorists, trainers, breeders and shelters discourage getting two puppies at once.

Raising Guide Dog Siblings

There aren’t really any studies on sibling rivalry or littermate syndrome in puppies but there seems to be plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting the negative effects. Potential guide dog puppies are typically raised by families who volunteer to socialize and train the puppies before they’re sent off to formal intensive training. Not all puppies make it though to graduate into a guide dog. Clarence Pfaffenberger in the book “New Knowledge of Dog Behavior” discusses how raising two littermate siblings together may have an impact on their potential as guide dogs with one dog succeeding while the other becomes unsuitable for the task.

“In the case of two litter mates raised together, one becomes a successful candidate for Guide Dog work and one fails, even if their aptitude tests were equal. “- Clarence Pfaffenberger

The Bottom Line

As seen, raising two siblings can become problematic. The problems may be evident from the get-go or farther down the road when the pups become adolescents and no longer get along. Or as in my case, you may notice the subtle effects only once you separate the pups. This doesn’t mean though the task is impossible, I am the last person on earth to make recommendations having raised littermates myself, but I really think people should give it careful consideration before impulsively going the two-puppy route. Would I do it again? I’m not sure I would have the energy to repeat the experience!

Raising two puppies at once is sure not for everyone because it entails socializing the puppy, training the puppy, walking the puppy multiplied by two, making it double the workload or even triple the workload as Kelly Dunbar states. People have a hard time enough with one puppy, that two may feel like an unsurmountable task. Unless the puppy owners have ample of time and experience and are are willing to work with a dog trainer, things can become difficult. If the goal is having two dogs, an easier option might be getting a second pup later on after the first one has received sufficient socialization and training and has developed a stable personality.

“Actually I always tell people they are tripling their workload because you have to do work with the dogs individually and together.” Kelly Dunbar

References:

Sibling Rivalry, by Kyla Boyse, University of Michigan Health System, June 2009, retrieved from the web on February 21st, 2016
Birth Order, Sibling Competition, and Human Behavior by Frank J Sulloway, retrieved from the web on February 21st, 2016
Mothers and Others Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, Natural History Magazine, May 2001, retrieved from the web on February 21st, 2016
Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Adaptation and Learning, by Steven R. Lindsay, Iowa State University Press; Volume One edition (January 31, 2000)
Dog Star Daily, Litermate syndrome, retrieved from the web on February 21st, 2016
New Knowledge of Dog Behavior, by Clarence Pfaffenberger, Dogwise Publishing (January 1, 2001)

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Six Stunning Siberian Husky Coat Colors

November 21, 2016February 20, 2016 by Admin

The Siberian husky is a stunning breed per se and part of this breed’s beauty relies on its coat which can come in a variety of colors. According to the American Kennel Club standard for this breed, all coat colors are allowed ranging from black to pure white. Along with stunning coat colors, huskies also boast a variety of markings on their head and that may include some striking patterns that aren’t commonly found in other breeds. Today we’ll be discovering six stunning coat colors Siberian huskies may sport according to the American Kennel Club standard. Are you ready for some eye candy?

siberian

1) The Wonderful White Husky

Name the word Siberian husky and most people are likely to imagine a wolfish-looking dog with glacial eyes and a grayish coat. Yet, sometimes you may stumble on some specimens who come with a solid white coat. Surprised?

It’s sure a surprising coat color especially if we imagine these pure white dogs romping in the snow and how they may camouflage against the snowfields!

While technically white is not a color per se, consider yourself lucky if you see a white husky; white is a recessive gene making it one of the rarest coat colors in this breed.

Some white huskies have areas that may appear to be a pale cream color especially when seen in bright light.

2) Beautiful Black and White Husky

When it comes to contrast, the black and white husky has plenty of it. This is a highly requested coat color because of its striking appearance especially when accompanied by a pair of glacial blue eyes, as this stunning specimen portrayed in the picture.

The black and white coat is fairly common in this breed, and this is not surprising considering how pretty it is!

According to the Siberian Husky Club of America, the shades of black in the husky may range in color from jet black, to black, to diluted black.

Black and white huskies commonly have intriguing facial masks and white legs.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

3) The Amazing Agouti and White Husky

You may have never heard about this coat color as it’s quite unique, but once you look at the picture of an agouti husky you get the idea.

The agouti coat is made of hairs that display alternating bands of colors. Generally, the hair is black by the root and at the tip while the center of the hair displays a yellow or beige band of color.

This color gives the husky a wild look because this coat color is associated with wolves, elkhounds and wild mice, squirrels and rabbits.

For this reason the agouti coat color is often referred to as the”wild coloring.”

And this fellow on the picture has quite a fascinating, wild side, doesn’t he?

4) Gorgeous Gray and White Husky

This coat color is quite popular and gives a pleasant wolfish appearance. It’s quite a popular coat color and demanded by those looking for dogs that look like wolves.

When it comes to the gray coat, the husky may come in three different shades: silver, gray and wolf gray.

In silver gray, the hair is banded with various hues of white and there is minimal black tipping at the end.

In gray, the hair is banded with cream hues by the root and there is black tipping at the end.

In wolf gray, the hair is banded with buff hues by the root and black tipping at the end.

5) Ravishing Red and White Husky

We often think of huskies as being grey, but some of them sport coats of appealing warm red hues.

The red and white coat color typically boasts various shades of light red, medium red and dark red.

This coat colors is always accompanied by flesh-colored points meaning that the lips, nose and eye rims present a fleshy, liver color.

The eyes in the red and white husky are commonly amber.

One distinguishing factor is that huskies with red and white coats never have black hairs.

Who is a fan of red heads huskies?

6) Stunning Sable and White Husky

The sable coat presents a reddish/brown hue. The hairs may be banded with darker sections by the tips which results in several pleasant looking hues around the neck, shoulders and withers.

Unlike the red and white husky, the sable and white husky will always have black points.

To distinguish them from the red and white huskies, sables are sometimes referred to as the “black-nosed reds.”

Sometimes, during the cold, winter months their nose may temporarily appear faded in color and this is called ‘winter nose.’

Which Coat is Your Favorite? Let us know in the comments section!

As seen, huskies come in several stunning colors, however coat color or eye color should never be the basis for selecting a husky puppy. Unfortunately, a large percentage of Siberian huskies end up at shelters because many people select them based on their striking appearance alone without any regard for their need to be continually socialized and trained throughout their lives. Before adopting an husky, it’s important to think things thoroughly and consider the many pros and cons of huskies.

Did you know? Coats may be monochrome or banded. Monochrome coats have individual hairs that are the same color from root to tip. Black, white and copper coats may be monochromatic. Banded coats have individual hairs that are often banded with white or yellow. Gray, sable and agouti coats are banded.

References:

American Kennel Club, Siberian Husky Breed Standard, retrieved from the Web on February 20th, 2016
Siberian Husky Club of America, Coat Color Identification Guideline, retrieved from the Web on February 20th, 2016
Siberian Huskies For Dummies, by Diane Morgan, For Dummies; 1 edition (March 16, 2011)

Photo credits:

A Siberian Husky with brown almond shaped eyes, by 878photo, CC BY-SA 3.0

An “agouti” Siberian Husky, by Flickr user re-ality, CC BY 2.0

A sable Siberian husky by Sue & Martin Curtis, Flickr, CC BY 2.5

A cat hair showing agouti coloration, by Kersti, CC BY 2.5

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

How Colostrum Gives Puppies a Head Start

March 15, 2022February 19, 2016 by Admin

What’s more fascinating than the power of colostrum and its role in helping puppies! When puppies are born, it’s important that they receive their healthy dosage of colostrum. This great “starter kit” produced by mother dog gives puppies an important head start in life. It’s important for breeders to ensure that the puppies in their care get their first dose of this very important gift of nature. Failure to receive colostrum at birth may lead to sickly puppies and even death.

Mother’s Liquid Gold

What is exactly colostrum and why is it so important for newborn puppies? Colostrum is a special type of yellow and thick “pre-milk fluid ” that’s produced by mother dog. When puppies are in the womb, they are protected by the placenta which provides them with essential nutrients and does a decent job in blocking harmful substances. However, once puppies are born, this protection ends abruptly and puppies are left in a vulnerable state, with an underdeveloped immune system and exposure to microorganisms in their environment. Fortunately, colostrum, which is absorbed by the pups’ intestinal tract, contains important antibodies, vitamins, electrolytes, and nutrients that are meant to protect the vulnerable puppies against disease.

“It is well known that colostrum, found in mothers’ milk, is rich in immunoglobulins, growth factors and other active compounds that stimulate the immune systems of newborn puppies and kittens, and support gastrointestinal (GI) health. ” ~Arleigh Reynolds, board-certified veterinary nutritionist

Passive Immunity

This method of transferring immunity is known as “passive immunity” and in this case it refers to the immediate transfer of antibodies from mother dog to her newborn pups until they’re capable of synthesizing their own antibodies. Puppies will only receive antibodies against diseases that mother dog has been vaccinated against. If mother dog’s vaccination status is not current, there are risks that the pups will not receive antibodies. This is why it’s important making sure the prospective mother dog has a high antibody titer before breeding.

“A (mother dog) that had not been vaccinated against or exposed to parvovirus, would not have any antibodies against parvovirus to pass along to her puppies. The puppies then would be susceptible to developing a parvovirus infection.” Race Foster, DVM.

Time is of the Essence

Ingestion of colostrum is time-sensitive as it’s produced only for a certain time and puppies aren’t always able to absorb it. According to veterinarian Race Foster, newborn puppies are able to absorb its vital nutrients only during the first 18 hours (or less) of life. After a certain time-frame, even though mother dog’s milk may still contain some level of antibodies and nutrients, puppies may no longer be able to absorb colostrum because it’s broken down and no longer able to pass through the pups’ intestinal mucosal lining. What to do if a puppy doesn’t have access to colostrum? If for some reason your puppy cannot nurse, ask your vet about giving oral doses of blood serum or plasma from a healthy dog, suggests veterinarian Ron Hines.

“Remember, newborns lose the ability to absorb antibodies at approximately 18 hours post-partum.” ~Race Foster DVM

Colostrum for Dogs

Giving colostrum to adult dogs is a subject of debate. On one hand you have those claiming that since puppies cannot absorb colostrum past the first 18 hours, adult dogs are unlikely to gain any benefit from its use. On the other hand, there are those who claim that dogs are still capable of absorbing colostrum which can be beneficial. According to VCA Animal Hospital, once ingested, colostrum appears to still be able to exert a local effect on the intestinal tract and on the skin and mouth when applied topically.

Veterinarian Steven R. Blake believes that colostrum aids the dog’s body by strengthening the intestinal tract which prevents harmful viruses, bacteria, yeast, parasites and toxins from entering through the gut wall. He recommends using only colostrum coming coming from pasture-fed dairy cows who aren’t treated with hormones, antibiotics, pesticides or raised on dead food. Anedoctal evidence suggest several benefits in giving dogs colostrum or lactoferrin; however controlled studies are lacking.

Did you know? Newborn puppies who have received adequate colostrum from their mothers don’t respond to vaccines because mom’s maternal antibodies interfere. This is why puppies are vaccinated every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Eventually, at some point during this time frame one or more vaccines will “take,” explains veterinarian Dr. Ken Tudor.

References

Encyclopedia of Animal Science (Print), edited by Wilson G. Pond
Pet Education, Colostrum and Passive Immunity, by Race Foster, retrieved from the web on February 19th, 2016.
Center for Nutritional Research, Colstrum and Pets, an interview with Steven R. Blake, retrieved from the web on February 19th, 2016.
Pet MD, Vaccination Programs for Puppies and Kittens, by Dr. Ken Tudor, retrieved from the web on February 19th, 2016.

How Well Can Dogs See in the Dark?

June 27, 2016February 18, 2016 by Admin

In a previous article we looked at how dogs see colors, today instead we will take a peak at how dogs see in the dark. While humans detect colors much better than dogs, when it comes to night vision, dogs come out as winners. A dog’s ability to see in the dark may not beat the night vision of cats, but they aren’t too far behind. Interestingly, this ability to see in dim light is courtesy of several evolutionary adaptations meant to help dogs see in low-light conditions.

A Matter of Conformation

While dogs can’t appreciate our same visual acuity and same color palette as us, when it comes to night vision, dogs are blessed with characteristics that make them see far better than humans. Dog eyes have a larger lens and thus a larger corneal surface, than humans, explains Dr. Randy Kidd. Why they see better than us in dim light, isn’t surprising. Animals have larger pupils than humans and this allows more light to reach the retina, which is why they have superior night vision, claims Dr. Lynsey Wagner, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist working for South Texas Veterinary Ophthalmology. While a dog’s night vision is superior to humans, it can’t beat though the night vision of cats. Cats are nocturnal animals par excellence and their incredible night vision comes courtesy of the vertical shape of their pupils and their larger cornea.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

“Compared to the human eye, the dog has a larger lens and a correspondingly larger corneal surface, enhancing its ability to capture light and thus see in reduced lighting conditions. ” ~Randy Kidd, DVM, PhD

Light Sensitive Rods

While the human retina has more cone cells, which allow a better ability to distinguish colors, dogs’ retinas have a higher concentration of rods, special light-and-motion-sensitive cells that help distinguish light from shadow. This allows dogs to see better than humans in semi-darkness.

Additionally, these rods help the dog detect small movements, which came helpful for hunting prey animals at night, or, in the case of our domesticated companions, catching a ball tossed on a summer evening. There’s a trade off though for these advantages. The price to pay for seeing in dim light and detecting small movement appears to be less visual acuity during the day.

“The dog’s retina is like a high speed photographic film with a high ISO or ASA number; great in dim light but ‘grainy’ with less detail (visual acuity) in bright light.” ~Dr. Kerry L Ketring, board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.

A Bright Tapestry

The dog’s tapetum lucidum, a mirror-like membrane lined with a layer of highly reflective cells, further helps dogs see better when the lights go out. How? This membrane reflects back any light entering the eye which enables dogs to see better. According to Dr. Steven M. Roberts, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, it is thanks to the tapetum lucidum, along with the greater corneal and pupil diameter, that dogs can see “a low-light world that’s two to ten times brighter than what we see.”

Ever wondered why dogs get “Halloween eyes?” The reason why dog eyes glow at night in an eerie way is because the unabsorbed light reflects off the tapetum lucidum. This also explains why a dog’s eyes glow in pictures when taken with flash. Humans, unlike dogs, do not have a tapetum lucidum.

“Dogs, can probably see in light five times dimmer than a human can see in.” ~Paul Miller, clinical professor of comparative ophthalmology at University of Wisconsin—Madison.

Dogs Cannot See in Total Dark

Dogs see in total darkness the same way us humans do. The reason why they see better in dim light is simply because they make better use of the light they have. The secret behind a dog’s night vision therefore relies on our companion’s ability to make better use of whatever source of light is available to them. So turns out, it’s a myth that dogs are able to see in total pitch black darkness. Dogs have an advantage though over us humans when it comes to navigating in the dark that’s worthy of mentioning. They can rely on their”feeler”whiskers which prevents them from bumping into things and allows them to navigate around a room in dim light with a good level of ease. On top pf that, they have an uncanny ability to memorize the layouts of their homes. Perhaps this is why the myth of dogs seeing in the dark got popular!

“Dogs and cats are very good at memorizing their environment. We see lots of patients that have pretty advanced visual dysfunction without their owners being aware of it simply because the layout of their home never changed.”~ Christopher Pirie, board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.

Did you know? That eerie green-yellowish glow that is emanated from the eyes of animals at night is known as “eye shine”

References:

Tufts Now, Spotting Eye Problems in Pets, retrieved from the Web on February 18th, 2016
South Texas Veterinary Ophthalmology, The Ghostly Glow, Why do Animal’s Eyes Shine? by Dr. Lynsey Wagner, retrieved from the Web on February 18th, 2016
What Do Animals Really See, by Kerry L Ketring, DVM DACVO, All Animal Eye Clinic Whitehall, MI 4946, retrieved from the Web on February 18th, 2016

Photo credits:

A three-month-old black Labrador puppy with apparent eye shine, by Jazzjohnn , CC BY-SA 3.0

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Dog Word of the Day: Whale Eyes

November 29, 2016February 17, 2016 by Admin

Today’s dog word of the day is whale eye. What do dogs have to do with a whale’s eyes? The term “whale eyes” was labeled by author, dog trainer and expert on dog aggression Sue Sternberg. It’s used to refer to when the white portion of the dog’s eye shows (not to be confused with a dog’s third eyelid). Also known as “half moon eye” whale eye in dogs is mostly seen when the dog turns his head slightly, but his eyeball remains turned to the side, fixed on something. When this happens, the white part of the eye, the sclera, appears as a white crescent-like shape in the corner of one eye. You don’t normally see much of the white of a dog’s eyes other than in certain particular circumstances.

Anatomy of Eye

Interestingly, when it comes to the white portion of the eyes, humans come well equipped compared to dogs and other animals. In humans, the sclera of the eye is very visible, not only because of its contrasting white color, but also because the iris is relatively small compared to other animals.

Ever wondered why we don’t have the whole eye of the same color? There are theories that our sclera is so visible for communicative purposes so that others can see where we are looking and we can use our eyes as a form of non-verbal communication.

Interestingly, research on dogs has revealed that during the process of domestication, dogs have relied on picking up visual cues from our eyes too! Indeed, when it comes to picking up visual information, dogs seem to rely more on human eyes than the eyes of one another. After all, dogs don’t rely much on eye contact among each other (steady, direct eye contact may mean trouble in the dog world), therefore that may possibly explain why a dog’s sclera is just a narrow rim of white connective tissue that’s much less conspicuous than in humans.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

A Look a Context

Many dogs show whale eyes when photographed.

Paying attention to what is occurring when the dog shows whale eyes is important so to keep tabs on preventing putting the dog in a similar situation in the future. What is happening when the dog shows whale eyes? Is the dog being hugged? Photographed? Is a person or dog getting too close to his toy or bone? Is another dog invading his personal space?

Whale eyes are often seen when the dog is in a situation that makes him feel uncomfortable. The dog doesn’t want to stare directly, so he’ll avert his head the other way, but at the same time he doesn’t want to take his eyes off from what is concerning him.

You may see it when a dog is cornered, guarding a possession or in an uncomfortable situation such as when being photographed or hugged. The dog may feel stressed, anxious, fearful or defensive.

Whale eye “is thought to occur because the dog is so afraid that he is not looking at you, but he’s too afraid to take his gaze away from you entirely. The result is a dog who is looking at something with his eyes while not facing it.” ~ Karen London Ph.D.

Just A Puzzle Piece

As with other canine body language, it’s a good idea to look at the context that evokes it, but it’s also worthy paying attention to the overall accompanying body language versus singling out only one signal.

Whale eye is often accompanied by tense facial muscles, a mouth tightly closed, dilated pupils, a stiff body, and there may also be more evident signs such as some growling and a curled lip.

Whale eye may be seen just a split second before a dog is about to snap or considering to snap should things escalate.

If you notice the half-moon eye in your dog, it’s time to give the dog space and plan how to avoid putting the dog in a similar situation in the future. Consult with a behavior professional for guidance on how to reduce stress in the dog and prevent situations from escalating.

“If you see the half moon eye when the kids approach the dog or are interacting with the dog, it’s time to intervene and give them all something else to do.” ~Doggone Safe

No Rule of Thumb

Paying attention to context and other accompanying body language can tell us a whole lot of what may be going on. Just because we notice the white of our dog’s eyes doesn’t necessarily mean though that our dogs are stressed, fearful or uncomfortable.

Dogs may show whale eyes for several other reasons. Whale eyes may appear just because dogs are moving their eyes to look at something, but they don’t feel like moving their head.

For instance, a dog may be lying down with his head resting on the floor and he may not feel like moving his head, but may still want to keep an eye on what his owners or other dogs are doing around him.

A dog may show whale eyes as a sign of a pinched nerve in the neck as dogs with this painful condition are reluctant to turn their head. Some dogs are also anatomically built in such a way that their eyes have the sclera that shows more without anything stressful happening. For example, dogs with short snouts and shallow sockets may have a more visible sclera compared to other dogs.

Did you know? How did the word “whale eye” end up relating to dogs? Patricia McConnell, in the book “For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend” mentions that the term “whale eye” first came from a client of dog trainer Susan Sternberg who noticed how the eyes of whales she had been observing showed their whites no matter in which direction their head was pointing.

References:

The Eyes Have It –What Can Be Seen in a Dog’s Eyes, by Karen London, retrieved from the web on February 17th, 2016
For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend, by Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. Ballantine Books; 1 Reprint edition (July 22, 2009)
Director and Producer: Dan Child, Executive Producer: Andrew Kohen (2010-01-06). “The Secret Life of the Dog”. Horizon. BBC. BBC2.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Norwich versus Norfolk Terrier

July 18, 2016February 16, 2016 by Admin

It’s Tuesday Trivia, and today we will be focusing on two dogs breed that are often easily confused: the Norwich terrier and the Norfolk terrier. Both breeds share many things in common. With a history of hunting down vermin from the barn, they are both small feisty working terriers originating from Great Britain. When it comes to coat color, they both come in shades of red, wheaten, black and tan or grizzle. Their weight and height are also almost pretty much the same which adds to the tendency to easily confuse one another. If you’re guilty of this, don’t feel bad though! Several years back, ever since 1936, the Norfolk and the Norwich were classified as one breed and referred to as “the Norwich terriers.” There’s an easy way to distinguish the two breeds though, so today’s trivia revolves around the main difference between the Norwich and Norfolk terrier. Tuesday’s dog trivia question therefore is:

What is the main distinguishing feature between the Norwich and Norfolk terrier?

A) The tail

B) The eyes

C) The ears

D) The teeth

The correct answer is: drum roll please…

Answer: if you answered A, the tail, consider that the Norwich terrier typically has a tail that’s medium docked. According to the American Kennel Club, the tail had to be of this length so to allow a man’s hand to grasp it. In the Norfolk, a docked medium tail is also called for, so the tail is not really a distinguishing feature. If you answered B, the eyes, consider that both the Norwich and the Norfolk have eyes that are small, dark and oval in shape with black rims. If you answered D, the teeth, sorry but both these breeds should ideally boast large teeth that meet nicely in a scissor bite. So the correct answer is C, the main way to differentiate a Norwich from a Norfolk is by looking at their ears!

The Norwich Terrier

As mentioned, the Norwich and the Norfolk were once exclusively one breed, “the Norwich terriers.” Within this breed there were therefore prick-eared (P.E.) or drop-eared (D.E.) specimens.

Then, in 1964, the British Kennel Club decided to separate the two. In 1979, the Norwich was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. It got its own standard that is quite similar to that of the Norfolk, but the ears are the main distinguishing feature.

According to the standard, the Norwich terrier has ears that are erect, set well apart and with pointed tips. This gives the Norwich a more foxy expression compared to the Norfolk.

The Norfolk Terrier

The Norfolk terrier was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1979, several years after the British Kennel Club had decided to separate the Norwich from the Norfolk. Before ear cropping became illegal, drop-eared specimens were often cropped so to have erect ears as the erect-eared specimens were winning more often in the show ring. To prevent complains over which specimen was better, the two types were separated into two different breeds in 1964.

The Norfolk, unlike the Norwich has small v-shaped dropped ears that don’t fall lower than the corner of the eye. Those folks who love to touch dog ears, may be delighted in learning that the Norfolk’s ears are smooth and velvety to the touch. Other than having different ears, owners of Norwich and Norfolk report that there are some other subtle differences between the two breeds; however, some breeders may claim that the two breeds are exactly the same. Who is right? Most likely, it boils down to the fact that, as the breeds separated, they gained their own uniqueness and each dog developed its own personality.

Fun fact: To remember the main difference between the Norwich and the Norfolk, many people think about the Norwich having pointed ears that stand up like a “witch’s hat.” And what about the Norfolk terrier? Perhaps we can think of them as “Nor-fold” terriers, the ones with folded ears! So there you have it, Nor-witch and Nor-fold terriers, no more confusion from now on!

References:

American Kennel Club, Norfolk Terrier Breed Standard, retrieved from the web on Feb 16th, 2016
American Kennel Club: Norwich Terrier Breed Standard, retrieved from the web on Feb 16th, 2016

Photo credits:

A Norwich terrier, by Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0
Norfolk terriër Clubkampioen NTCN 2006, by Nutak, CC BY-SA 3.0

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

I am Your Dog’s Third Eyelid

June 27, 2016February 15, 2016 by Admin

Today we’ll be discovering some interesting stuff about the dog’s third eyelid. Yes, that’s right, dogs have actually three eyelids, but where on earth is the third one? Last time you checked, you only saw two, the top one and the bottom one, so where is the third one hiding? No need to run a treasure hunt. Tucked out of sight, at the inner corner of your dog’s eye, the third eyelid isn’t normally visible. You may have likely seen it occasionally when your dog sleeps or wakes up after catching some Zzzs, but not seeing it much is a good thing. A third eyelid showing on other occasions may be indicative of some underlying problems. So today, let’s get more acquainted with our dog’s third eyelid, shall we?

Introducing Your Dog’s Third Eyelid

Hello, it’s your dog’s third eyelid talking! I am also known as the nictitating membrane or haw. You may not know me too well, as I tend to not show up much often. I am that membrane that you may occasionally see partially drawn across a part of your dog’s eye. In other animals such as certain reptiles, birds and sharks, you may see me fully drawn across the eye, in some cases covering it completely. In humans, I am just a vestigial remnant known as the “plica semilunaris.” I have basically lost my original function during evolution, so I shrunk into a small fold that’s found on the inside corner of your eye. See picture for correct location of the plica semilunaris in humans.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

In dogs, I am more functional, covering the eye when your dog is asleep. Like you car’s wiper blades, I help wipe any mucus or debris from across the surface of your dog’s eyes. According t o the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, I also play an important role in maintaining normal tear production. I have a gland that’s responsible for about 40 to 50 percent of your dog’s tear production. Last but not least, my lymphoid tissue has an immunological function producing antibodies to help fight infections.

Third-Eyelid Showing

As mentioned, you don’t normally see me other than when your dog sleeps with his eyelids semi-open or you see me for a split second as I retract when your dog wakens up suddenly from a deep sleep. You see, I cover your dog’s eyes when your dog is sound asleep so to prevent his eyes from drying up too much. Your dog doesn’t blink in his sleep so I’ll take over the role of keeping those eyes nice and moist. So yes, it’s a good thing if you notice your dog’s “red eyes” when he’s sleeping. What you are seeing is basically me doing my job. You need to worry instead when I do not normally retract when your dog’s eyes are open and your dog is wide awake, as this can be a sign of something wrong.

If you see me when your dog is wide awake, under the form of a pinkish triangle covering the inner corner of one eye, it could mean an eye problem. The dog’s eye may be painful or injured or a nerve may have been damaged, explains veterinarian Betsy Brevitz in the book ” The Complete Healthy Dog Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Keeping Your Pet Happy, Healthy & Active.” There are no muscles attached to me, so my range of motion is completely passive. If the eyeball sinks in, I will automatically cover the eye. When you see me in both eyes, unless both eyes may have been injured, something more systemic may be going on. Third eyelids showing in both of a dog’s eyes could be a sign of dehydration, illness or pain. Consult with your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Prolapsed Nictitans Gland

My gland responsible for making tears (nictitans gland) is located on the side that lies against the eye, so it’s normally not visible. Sometimes though, a small ligament responsible for holding the gland in place, may stretch or break for unknown reasons, explains veterinary ophthalmologist Rhea V. Morgan. When this happens, my gland will prolapse, leading to a visible reddish mass in the corner of the eye that is commonly referred to as “cherry eye.”

You see, this mostly happens in certain dog breeds that are prone to it such as cocker spaniels, basset hounds, lhasa apso, shih-tzu, poodle, beagles, Newfoundlands, Chinese shar-pei, Saint Bernards and bulldogs. To correct this, I need surgery to get that gland replaced so that it can continue to produce tears as it was meant to and to prevent the emergence of complications such as a chronic dry eye.

As seen, I perform several duties! I hope this guide has helped you understand me better! I sometimes feel like I live in the shadow, tucked out of sight as I am. Out of sight though doesn’t mean out of mind, so hopefully today you’ll cherish the work I do to keep your dog’s eyes healthy and bright. And if I ever show up when your dog is awake and active, please have me checked out by your vet to see what’s going on. Yours dearly,

Your dog’s third eyelid.

References:

Betsy Brevitz, ” The Complete Healthy Dog Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Keeping Your Pet Happy, Healthy & Active.” Workman Publishing Company; 1 edition (April 16, 2009)
Christine C. Lim, “Small Animal Ophthalmic Atlas and Guide”, Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (February 2, 2015)

Photo credits:

Prolapsed gland of the third eyelid (cherry eye) in a dog, by Joel Mills, CC BY-SA 3.0
The plica semilunaris of conjunctiva, by Henry Vandyke Carter – Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body, public domain

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]