Dog owners have always been baffled by some of the biggest questions about dog health. Getting the right answers is on top of their priority list and will definitely help them take better care of their pets. Here are a few frequently asked questions about dog health.

Question #1: How can I tell if my dog is sick?

As with humans, it’s usually fairly easy to tell if your pet is sick. But of course, you have to be certain before you take action. However, unlike humans, who are able to inform you right away when they’re not feeling well, animals will require your most careful observation and attention.

Take note of any changes in his daily routine, no matter how small it might be. Observe his appetite level, his liquid consumption, urinary frequency, general appearance, sudden weight loss, and drops in energy level. Does he refuse his food completely? Is he vomiting? Does he limp or have difficulty getting around? If your dog shows an alarming change in behavior, then it’s time you took him to the vet.

Question #2: How often should I have my dog checked at the vet?

Annual physical checkups are advisable for dogs. It should be more frequent than that if your dog is still very young, or has a medical condition that needs constant monitoring. Around age six, you should start taking him twice yearly so that any health problems that may come with age may be detected and prevented from worsening, and that the right course of action may be taken to ensure good and continued health as he matures.

Question #3: Should I have my dog neutered/spayed?

Unless you’re planning on putting up a breeding facility, it is highly recommended that your dog be neutered (if it is a male) or spayed (if female) once it has reached six months of age.

This makes them less aggressive. It also boosts their health. A male’s chances of getting prostate and testicular cancer falls to almost zero, while the same rate holds true for females getting mammary cancer.

Spaying significantly cuts down their risk of contracting a form of diabetes, as well as womb infections or pyometra. On a more practical and humane note, it prevents overpopulation or the swelling in numbers of poor, unwanted puppies in rescue shelters.

Moreover, it saves you the trouble of having to deal with the horde of male dogs trooping to your house each time your female dog is in heat.

Question #4: What do I do if my dog drools excessively?

It’s perfectly normal for dogs to drool; it’s in their nature. But relative to his size, a good tip would be to take note of whether or not there is a sudden increase in his salivary output as this might be a sign of periodontal disease, tongue injuries, or even cysts, in which case you must take him to see the vet immediately.

Question #5: How do I deal with ear mites?

Before using your vet’s prescribed ear mite medication, first clean off the deposit of hardened debris in your dog’s ear by applying some drops of baby oil in the ear canal and letting it stand for a few hours.

Once the coating has softened, you can flush it away with vinegar and distilled water (avoid tap water) in equal parts using a rubber ear-cleaning syringe. Do this with extra care as too much pressure will cause pain.

Once clean, apply a few drops of the medication; after which, gently massage the ear’s base for a few minutes so that the medicine can be properly absorbed into the affected area.

Don’t forget to read the medicine’s instructions first before applying. When in doubt about the procedure, your vet could always do the cleaning and medicating for you, though it would be advantageous for both you and your pet if you knew how to do it yourself.

Observing your vet during this process can give you a good idea how to handle this situation. Remember that it is easy for your dog to catch ear mites from other dogs. If you happen to have two or more dogs in your household, it’s definitely wise to observe them and see if they could possibly be infected by ear mites, too.

To get more answers to your other problems and questions about dog health, pay a visit to your veterinarian and he/she will be able to assist you with your concerns.

Getting your dog to understand what you want him do when given certain commands is the purpose behind dog obedience training. It is a communication process between owner and dog that creates a bond that is vital to the safety of the dog, his owner, and those around him.

Dogs are naturally social creatures that in the wild live in packs. When brought into a home a dog becomes a part of the family pack, and just like in the wild there is a natural order to things with a leader of the pack, or alpha dog, on down. One of the primary purposes of dog obedience training is to show your dog who is in charge. Without proper training or discipline just about any dog will naturally try to take over and be in charge.

This is where obedience training comes in. It lets your dog know who’s in charge and at the same time creates a bond between him and his humans. It is one of the most important things any dog owner can do to establish a strong relationship between owner and dog.

Training your dog subtly but efficiently establishes to your dog that you are the leader of the pack and they are not, but it should not involve any negative or punishment-based components. Training your dog to be obedient can be an extraordinary learning experience as well as being a fun and rewarding activity for you and your dog.

Obedience training is great for your dog because it is a good mental exercise that enables your dog to live happier and with more freedom. It is a way of fostering communication between owner and dog. Although obedience training doesn’t solve all behavior problems it is the foundation for solving just about any problem including house training, chewing up your belongings, excessive barking, digging holes in your yard, fighting other dogs and aggressive behavior. The goal behind dog obedience training is the idea that a dog will respond with a certain reaction every time a certain command is given.

Almost every dog owner will have to use some sort of behavior modification techniques at one time or another when training their prized pet. It helps avoid temperament and behavior problems. Many dogs develop behavior problems because their owners fail to set rules and enforce them. Proper training allows you to communicate with your dog, helps to foster the bond between you, and keeps him safe from both injuries and behavior problems.

Dog obedience training is about setting boundaries that must be enforced on a daily basis and is the most important thing a dog should learn as it is the foundation to solving many of any dog’s behavior problems. Obedience training is the perfect method for both you and your dog to establish a connection, to relate to one another and to make living together more enjoyable.

Bringing a puppy into your home can be an extremely rewarding experience, but is something that should not be done on the spur of the moment. Choosing the appropriate puppy will best be accomplished by taking your time to research your breed of interest as well as the breeder or individual of whom you are considering a purchase. Before making a decision, be certain that you are committed to the lifetime care and ownership of the puppy.

During the research phase, some of your questions can be answered as you consult with other owners of your breed of choice. Their experience and knowledge of the breed will help you in making a more informed decision. Most dog breeds were developed for specific functions, and as a result, have their own defining characteristics. Consider a breed’s personality and traits, level of activity, and space requirements in determining how easily (or difficult) it will be for them to adapt to your environment and lifestyle.

Once you have made a decision on your breed choice, you should begin looking for a responsible breeder. Since they can be found in both small and large kennel settings, you should look for someone who consistently produces healthy dogs. One way to find out more about a breeder is by asking for references from their customers. Most individuals are happy to share their positive or negative experiences concerning the selection and purchase of their canine, especially with someone of like interest. Another source of reference would be the breeder’s veterinarian. They might be able to offer some good information about the history and practices of the breeder. Remember, a responsible breeder is someone who cares about each of their puppies (even after they are placed into new homes) and should be willing to offer advice and support throughout the lifetime of the dog.

Another important factor to evaluate is the breeder’s kennel (or home if that’s where the puppies are kept). If the environment is not clean, go no further. Also, human contact is very important in the first few weeks of a puppy’s life, as it establishes the human-to-puppy bond. Find out if the puppies have had some contact and interaction with people.

When examining the puppy(ies), check to see if they are healthy looking and energetic, or shy and afraid. Look for any sign of discharge coming from the puppy(ies) nose or eyes. Make sure that they are up to date on all vaccinations and have been de-wormed.

If possible, ask to look at the parent dogs as well, making sure they appear healthy, move freely, and have sound temperaments. Sometimes, in the interest of producing an exceptional litter of puppies, a breeder will go outside of his own kennel in search of a suitable stud. If that’s the case, you might want to request pictures of the male and obtain the owner’s contact information for future reference or questions.

Consider your comfort level with the breeder as you communicate with them. You should be able to express your thoughts and ask questions easily. And they should be able to answer all questions, including those related to training, grooming, and general health care.

A good breeder will be just as curious about you as you are of them, asking questions about your interests as a prospective owner of one of their puppies. Find out if they are active in a breed club or if they participate in dog shows or any type of canine sporting events. If so, it would be a good indication that they are keeping up with changing views on health concerns and staying informed about their specific breeds.

Last, but not least, a good breeder should provide you with all of the appropriate documentation, including a contract, registration application, vet health certificate, and a health guarantee.

Choosing the right breed of dog and finding a good, reputable breeder may seem like a lot of unnecessary work, but if you take the time to make cautious, informed choices before you purchase a puppy, you will have a more satisfying experience in your search for a new canine companion.

Once you have decided to buy a puppy for your home, you always think of buying a puppy of good quality from a reputable breeder. As we all want to have he best in our home.

You can easily find the pet at your nearer pet store or can find the advertisement in newspapers or one can surf the internet and find the best pet, as number of sites are available which only deals with the puppy. This is not the first place you should look! Buying for a reputed breeder is the best to find your puppy.

Most pet stores deals in a large numbers of breed’s puppy you have to make a decision which one is you looking for which will you prefer to take at home. Before you decide to buy the puppy of your choice make sure to check the puppy is in good health because the pet stores have a very large quantity of different breeds pet so many times it happens that there is no quality in them.

The same is pretty much true with the local newspaper advertisements where “backyard breeder” add you will find. Most of these peoples are not out off make profit they just careless and misguides you, of course there is always the profit motive behind everything.

Before you decide to buy a puppy it’s always better to have a good and proper knowledge about different breed’s puppy so that no one can cheat you in any sense. When you buy from a good breeder you can almost always plan on adding to new friends to your life in addiction to the puppy which you have purchased.

Anna Josephs is a freelance journalist having experience of many years writing articles and news releases on various topics such as pet health, automobile and social issues. She also has great interest in poetry and paintings, hence she likes to write on these subjects as well. Currently writing for this website Pet Health. For more details please contact at annajosephs@gmail.com

The woof of a dog can be the most pleasant sound to a doting pet owner and especially after a tiring day at work. Even health gurus have agreed on the fact that nothing de-stresses your mind better than the warm welcome of a beloved pet and as a result more and more people are opting to keep pets in their homes. As the community of pet owners is on the rise, we need to think beyond the usual set of responsibilities of a pet owner. If you think keeping a dog at home is all play and no work then think again. Rearing a dog involves much more than simply providing it a nutritious diet, proper grooming, daily exercise and annual vaccinations. As a pet owner, you need to be prepared to deal with many planned and unplanned events concerning your pet and more importantly you must be financially prepared to handle every such situation that may crop up. Most of the time, a simple budget kept aside for the pet is not enough and only a dog health insurance can come to your timely, financial rescue.

As medical science makes tremendous progress in all aspects, animal health care provisions have also improved. Many rare and complicated diseases which were earlier incurable in animals are now curable under the treatment of a competent veterinary. However, the cost of such treatments also has a high cost association which may not always be in the affordable range of every pet owner. As a result, the pet may not receive the required treatment simply due to lack of funds. A dog health insurance plan will help you avoid such heart breaking situations where you see your pet suffer due to lack of financial resources. You can save on you finances and provide better care for your pet by selecting the best dog health insurance plan.

Many companies provide various pet insurance plans and it is up to the owner to select the best dog health insurance plan according to the requirements of his pet. The breed, gender, age and physical health of your pet plays a major role in selection of the right insurance plan. The financial benefit of the insurance plan is that, you end up paying only a nominal amount of premium each month, which is much cheaper than what you would have to shell out, in case you were paying all the actual expenses of treatment from your own pocket.

The dog health insurance plan covers almost every kind of disease and illness, but yet it is advisable to check out the coverage offered before you sign the deal. In case your dog suffers from any pre-existing disease, the plan may have some additional clauses in it, so make sure you check the details of the plan well. Once you have insured your pet with a reputed and reliable pet insurance company, you can rest assured that your beloved dog will get all the benefits and care that ensures a happy and healthy life for him.

Bad dog breath can be a bad problem for your dog and you, at times a dogs breath an be unbearable and make bonding with your dog a chore you’d rather avoid at all costs. This may not be due to your dog and more down to the care you have not realized that your dog should have.

Dog’s bad breath like most other dog symptoms can be the cause of many different issues separately or together, this makes the cause hard to diagnose without a proper examination from a professional dog carer or vet.

Common causes of dog bad breathe –

Maybe your dog is finding it hard to eat or swallow which can lead to dog’s bad breath and other illnesses that are related.

Saliva drooling from your dog’s mouth may also be a cause of bad dog breath, as more saliva gets built up in your dog’s mouth is makes it easier for bacteria to breed resulting in bad breath.

The last and most common form of bacteria build up is from not cleaning or not properly cleaning your dog’s teeth, this enables tartar to form and make the bad odor you are forced to smell day in day out.

Many believe that food choice and what you feed your dog is a problem when dog breath is concerned, as this may be true to an extent this is more of a temporary short term problem and the reason above is more likely to be the problem cause.

There are plenty of dental hygiene products available in pet shops and online, some work better than others on different dogs but you best bet is to clean your dog’s teeth regularly to stop the bacteria build up, this is where the problem begins and where you should target your efforts.

If you fear the problem has got too far to recover or damage or the gums and teeth is visible you should contact your vet as soon as possible for help and a proper diagnosis of your pet.

Choosing a new puppy to bring into your home is a big decision. Here are some helpful hints and tips to making sure your new puppy is the right one.

The first thing you need to consider is research! This is the one step that is so often ignored when choosing a puppy, but is perhaps the most important step.

Too often people choose their new puppy based on emotion, and not the facts.

First things first, research the breed you want. I would recommend getting an all breed dog book at your library or local book store to help you in choosing a puppy. Get a book that gives details about the breeds temperament, energy level, adaptability, size, trainability, etc. Many people will pick up a dog magazine to check out the dogs for sale advertisements in the back. The problem with using this method to choose a breed is that these ads are designed to sell you on that specific breed from a specific kennel. Instead of choosing the right breed for you, you may be swayed by a nice layout and a professional ad.

When researching dog breeds, take everything into consideration. For example, some large dogs do better in apartments than certain small dogs. Some small breeds do better with room to run and play and despite their small size wouldn’t do well in an apartment. Some dogs are very independent and are more difficult to train. There are grooming requirements to consider. Some dogs are prone to certain health problems. Learn these things about the different breeds before you choose which one to purchase. When choosing a puppy, there is no such thing as too much research.

Once you have settled on the right breed it is now time to really buckle down and do your research. Now you’ve got to decide where to get this perfect dog. At this point it is important to note that there is typically one place where you don’t want to get a new puppy. That place is the pet store. It is not always the case, but dogs from pet stores often come from puppy mills. A puppy mill is a business that someone has set up to basically manufacture dogs. Puppy mills are notorious for overcrowding, lack of sanitation, health problems both from external causes and from poor breeding practices. Female dogs in a puppy mill will give litter after litter until their body is no longer capable. Owners of puppy mills give no thought to what makes a good dog, both structurally and mentally. The sole desire of a puppy mill is to make money, not to maintain and improve the gene pool of a certain breed. Don’t be drawn in by the cute puppy in the pet store window. It is very likely that behind that cute puppy exterior lurks genes that will make an unbalanced and unhealthy dog.

So where should you go about choosing a puppy? The answer is simple: from a reputable breeder. However, while the answer is simple, it isn’t so easy to go about finding that breeder. They aren’t always easy to find. Here are some tips for finding the right breeder:

- Don’t start out in the classifieds. Too often the classifieds section of your local newspaper is inhabited by ‘backyard breeders’. A backyard breeder is often just as dangerous as a puppy miller. The backyard breeder breeds his dog because ‘We wanted her to have a litter before we got her fixed’, or ‘We wanted the kids to see the miracle of birth’, or ‘Well, we had a German Shepherd and so did the neighbor, so it just made sense’. Shelters nationwide are filled with dogs resulting from these breedings. If you want your dog to have a litter ‘just because’, don’t do it. If you want your kids to witness the miracle of birth, rent a documentary. If you breed your dog because your neighbor has a similar one, have you considered the temperament, genetics of the parents, etc.? Probably not. Choosing a puppy from a backyard breeder can have regretful consequences. Avoid backyard breeders.

- Talk to a breed association. Nearly every dog breed has an affiliated association. Some of the more popular breeds have several national, regional, and local associations. These associations should be able to provide you with guidance on where to find reputable breeders. Many even specialize in helping new owners in choosing a puppy.

- Talk to local dog trainers and veterinarians. These professionals will often have contacts that may be able to help in choosing a puppy.

- Look in the back of the large dog magazines. There will often be many breeders. You will have to do your due diligence as any breeder can make it in the back of a magazine if they have the money to spend. It can be a useful resource for finding several breeders, though.

- Use the internet as a way to find breeders. Don’t be ‘sold’ on their website alone. Make sure you to do your due diligence.

Once you have a pool of several potential breeders from whom you are considering choosing a puppy, get in contact with them. A good breeder will actually interview you. A good breeder will want to know who you are, how you live, why you want the dog, and many more other things to make sure that you will properly care for something they have put so much work into. Answer these questions honestly. Hopefully, you will have a long relationship with this person.

As you go to their kennel or breeding facility take note of the conditions.

Good breeders are fanatical about sanitation.

Make sure things are well kept and maintained. Depending on the age of the puppies that you go to see the mother still may be around. Try to get a feel for her temperament and look. If the father is available, insist on seeing him too. The parents should be strong, healthy, and confident. They shouldn’t shy away from you or exhibit other behaviors that indicate a weakness or genetic problem.

Observe the puppies. They should be healthy. Make sure, when choosing a puppy, that you are looking for a puppy that is confident, large, and social. Don’t fall in the trap that many do by selecting a small, sickly puppy because they feel bad for the little guy.

Don’t be fooled by certain behaviors, either. A growling, nervous puppy is not going to make a better watch dog. He is growling out of an intense fear, not watchdog material. Keep in mind that the dominant puppy may be too much for you if you aren’t used to working with dogs.

Above all, use common sense. I know they are cute, but try to make a decision based on logic and reason, not because that little puppy hiding in the corner is so cute the way he trembles when someone goes near him. Choosing a puppy should never be a snap decision.

As is often the case, you may find that the best breeder with available puppies isn’t in your local area. In a case such as this you have a few options. You can travel to them, observe the facilities first hand, and purchase your puppy. This often isn’t reasonable for most people. Or, you can get references and thoroughly check out the particular breeder by phone and internet. Then, once you are satisfied that you will get a quality puppy, an arrangement can be made for choosing a puppy through photographs and breeder recommendation, and then get your puppy shipped by air freight. If you do this well you can have a great experience. I have been involved with the remote purchase of many dogs from as far away as France and the Czech Republic and have been very satisfied with the results because of doing proper research.

Just remember, when choosing a new puppy, do your homework and you will be grateful for the life of your dog

What could be more fun than a Labrador puppy? What could be more fun than 8 Labrador puppies?

Black Labrador puppy breeders have the joy of giving a healthy, happy start to numerous wriggling bundles of energy and affection. Yet those who set out to be Black Labrador puppy breeders take on a great responsibility with the joy. A good breeder has a responsibility both to the animals in his or her care as well as to the potential owners.

Finding Good Black Labrador Puppy Breeders

You can begin your search for good Black Labrador puppy breeders by visiting the Labrador Retriever Club (LRC) on the Internet. THE LRC maintains a directory of breeders. Black Labrador puppy breeders are listed by state. They are not guaranteed, but they have had to complete applications to get their listings.

If you cannot find a breeder in the directory, try contacting the LRC. They may personally know a good breeder in your area.

Learn before You Leap

A Labrador puppy is nearly irresistible. That is why you should take time to learn about the breed before you go to see puppies. You might fall in love with the puppy before learning how big it will become and what its needs will be. Love might blind you to possible hereditary defects. If you don’t know the official standard for a Labrador puppy, you might pay a handsome price for a dog that falls short of that standard.

You should learn about responsible breeding practices, too. Before you contact your first Black Labrador puppy breeders, understand what they should be doing with and for the puppies.

Prepare a List of Questions

Before calling or visiting Black Labrador puppy breeders, prepare a list of important questions to ask. If you want a Labrador puppy to take on hunting trips, you should ask questions about its potential as a gun dog. If you are looking for a companion, family dog, you will want to know about its temperament, and whether it has been socialized. The following are only a handful of other questions you should ask:

* Has the breeder had the parents’ hips and elbows X-rayed to be sure there are no dysplasias? A Labrador puppy can inherit a tendency for these potentially crippling abnormalities of joint formation. Breeders who try to be sure that both parents, and as many of the bloodline as possible are radiographically free of hip and elbow dysplasia are showing care for the breed as well as each puppy. The parents may not show any outward signs yet of the painful arthritis associated with hip and elbow dysplasia, but their joints should be checked by x-ray examination before breeding.

* Did the breeder invest time and money to have the parents’ eyes checked for eye defects that could lead to poor eyesight or blindness? Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), a disease that results in blindness, develops gradually. Although Retinal dysplasia seldom results in blindness, it does cause poor eyesight. Breeders should have the parents of a Labrador puppy checked for all eye problems.

* Ask if the breeder has had every Labrador puppy examined by a qualified veterinarian. Is there a guarantee regarding each puppy’s health? What are the terms of the guarantee?

Be Observant

When you do visit Black Labrador puppy breeders, keep your eyes open. Are the kennels and the yard clean? If a puppy left a stool that the breeder has not had time to scoop, look at it. It should be well-formed, and not runny.

Look at each Labrador puppy, whether or not that specific one is of interest to you. Do they all have shining, clear, clean eyes? Are their coats clean and glossy? Are they alert and playful? Even if the best puppy has been reserved for you, the health of its litter mates will tell you much about the general care they receive.

Taking Home Your Own Labrador Puppy

When you find the Labrador puppy you want, arrange to have it examined by your own veterinarian as soon as possible after you pick it up from the breeder. Have the vet assure the puppy is in good health.

You want to care for your Puggle, and make sure that she stays healthy and adventurous throughout her life. All dogs may have health problems from time to time. Knowing what specific risks your dog may face can help you keep your pet feeling great.

First, it’s important to discuss some of the health problems that Puggles are not as prone to as might be expected. Although one parent is a pug, these dogs do not have as many breathing problems as pugs, because their noses are longer. They also have deeper eye sockets, removing many of the difficulties with the eyes that pugs can exhibit, and they have fewer skin problems.

Given all this, Puggles can be a healthy hybrid, assuming that they are well-bred and treated well from birth. In fact, many hybrid puppies have better health than many pure-bred pups, though that may vary with individual litters.

In order to find a healthy puppy, you need to be very careful in your selection of a puppy.

Many breeders of Puggles are very reputable and responsible breeders, and take care to make sure that the parents of their pups are healthy and have good temperaments and histories. In fact, most breeders care very much about breeding healthy pups. To make sure that your pup will be healthy, you should interview breeders, find out where their breeding stock comes from and check health histories of the parents of your puppy. If possible, visit the breeder before buying a puppy, and know where your puppy is coming from.

Whenever possible, avoid buying puppies from a pet store or anyone else other than a reputable breeder. If you do buy a puppy from a pet store, be very careful about her health. Have a complete health checkup conducted by a vet as soon as you take her home, and watch careful for any infections or signs of harsh treatment as a puppy.

Once you have your puppy safely at home and you’ve gotten her puppy shots and has a clean bill of health, you will need to keep her healthy and work with her vet to keep her healthy.

Puppy shots are crucial, of course. This is the most important thing you can do to protect your pup’s health from the beginning. Once your pup has had shots, you need to continue with the shots on an annual basis, of course. Heart worm medication should be administered on a monthly basis, and can be prescribed by your vet. You’ll also want to make sure you have flea protection for your Puggle, particularly if you allow her outside.

Keeping your Puggle healthy is primarily a matter of preventing injury and poisoning. Once your dog starts out healthy, she is likely to stay healthy if she can. Baby-proofing, or Puggle-proofing, your home, is essential to keeping your pet healthy. Like the proverbial toddler, your new baby is very inquisitive and can get into trouble quite easily.

Fortunately, keeping your home safe for your pet is mostly a matter of making sure there is nothing on the floor that can be choked on or that can poison your puppy if swallowed, making sure that your Puggle can’t climb on anything and fall off, and keeping spills of hazardous materials, including detergent, cleaned up.

When it comes to keeping your Puggle healthy and communicating with your vet, there are no stupid questions. If you suspect your dog may need medical attention, call your vet. This, along with regular checkups, will help insure your pet’s safety.

Fortunately for us, the members of the royal and noble families of Spain were particularly attached to dogs, especially toy dogs. Many of the famous painters of the time painted family portraits which included their dogs. Works by Velasquez, Murillo and Goya in particular painted portraits of royal families and their dogs, many of them being, “toy dogs.”

The walls of Prado in Madrid are covered by portrait after portrait of dogs and their families or just dogs alone beautifully painted. Anyone very interested in dogs would certainly enjoy the experience of surveying the walls of Prado.

Numerous dogs have served as models for sculpture of all sorts as well.

The Prado has one of the best collections of art in the world. The fine paintings are not Spanish, nor are they paintings of the Spanish scene or family. The walls of Prado tell a story of European history in picture form. One typical example is a portrait painted by Jan Brueghel de Velours. The painting is of the interior of a collector’s room, painted in 1617. The artist included a tiny toy spaniel confronting a monkey in the foreground of the painting.

In this same painting there is a small white woolly dog which could be a bichon or a Maltese terrier sitting quietly underneath a table just watching what is going on but taking no part. HOW CUTE!

Artists have always been the recorders of their own times. The artists tell us something about the dogs that are still with us as well as about those that appear to have been lost to us today. In one of Tiziano’s paintings done earlier than de Velours, he included a dog that if the animal existed today, would be a glamorous-looking, long-haired Italian greyhound. One has to wonder, however, did this dog truly exist during that time or was this only in the mind of the painter.

The Italian greyhound was a favorite at court in both Spain and Italy centuries ago and appears frequently in paintings in the Prado. It has been noted that much to one’s surprise in one case the Italian Greyhound is painted with its ears cropped. This was quite unusual. Pugs looked fine with their ears cropped, but the Italian Greyhound with cropped ears? Once again I have to wonder if maybe some of these models of dogs in these famous paintings are just from the minds of the creator of the painting and not dogs that truly existed during their times. On the other hand, it could have been just an exceptional case and not the norm of that particular era. I have not personally seen this picture, have only read about others seeing it, but I have to admit the Italian greyhound would look every strange with its ears shortened.

It has been said that one of the most attractive paintings of an Italian greyhound was of one that appears in the portrait ‘The Earl of Northampton’ by Pompeo Battoni in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. He was a large size for his period in the mid-eighteenth century. At this time the Italian Greyhound was really miniaturized. The portrait is said to be of a beautiful specimen, with all the elegance and grace of the breed.

This series: “Toy Dogs in Art” continues in Part II.

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