My Passion Project: Dogs
By Luca Onica (5C)
My Passion Project: Dogs
By Luca Onica (5C)
Contents
-> History of Dogs
-> Small dog breeds
-> Big dog breeds
-> Favourite dogs
-> Keeping it healthy
-> What's bad for dogs?
-> Puppies
-> Getting a dog
-> Fun Facts
History of Dogs
It was originally believed that the first domesticated wolves that appeared around 15,000 years ago in the Middle East. However new evidence provided by Pontus Skoglund who found a 35,000 years old Siberian Wolf bone. Pontus concluded that canine domestication may have first started 27,000 to 40,000 years ago.
Dog breed vary in popularity. In the 1980's Saint Bernards were the number 1 breeds however since the 1990's the Labrador Retriever has become many peoples favourite.
Small Dog Breeds
Small dog breeds are often called toy dogs. As you know they are usually kept in purses and dressed up in cute outfits. The smallest breed of dogs is the Teacup dog. Small dog breeds include:
- Chihuahua
- Pomeranian
- Bichon Frise
- French Bulldog
- Pug
- Dachshund
- Yorkshire Terrier
Big Dog Breeds
Big dog breeds, like the German shepherd, need to exercise regularly. They are usually working dogs including police dogs, rescue dogs, search dogs, dogs for the blind, etc.
Great Danes are large domestic dogs known for their big size. The Great Dane is one of the tallest breeds, the record holder for the tallest dog was a Great Dane called Zeus, which was 110.8 cm from paw to shoulder.
German Shepherds are medium/large sized dogs that originated in Germany. They originated in the 1890s, and they were originally made for herding sheep, but now they are used for many types of jobs, including police, rescue and military roles. German shepherds are usually black, brown, tan, etc. But there are many colours for German Shepherds.
Favourite Dogs
My favourite dog breed is the German Shepherd, they are cute and have a nice colour, and the puppies are even cuter! They are friendly and they are also protective and are playful. German Shepherds are fun to play with and puppies are also fun to play with too. They overall are great dogs and are very fun!
Keeping It Healthy
Following dietary and well being rules is essential when keeping your dog healthy. One of these rule is ensuring that your dog has expert veterinary care. This mean taking you dog to the vets on a regular bases, puppies and senior dogs may be required to visit the vets more often.
Optimum nutrition and regular grooming will ensure your dog is healthy and that its coat is also well maintained. Routine exercise is very important when it comes to a dog's health especially when it comes to big dog as they need lots of exercise to make sure that their bones and muscles stay strong and healthy.
What's bad for dogs?
There are many types of human food that can cause harm to dogs symptoms can vary from upset stomach to red blood cell damage or even sometimes death. Some of these foods are:
-> Chocolate, Caffeine or Coffee
-> Avocados
-> Citrus Fruits
-> Coconuts or Coconut Oil
-> Grapes or Raisins
-> Macadamia Nuts
-> Milk and Dairy
-> Onions, Garlic, Chives
Puppies
It only takes 2 months for puppies to develop within a mother's womb unlike humans which takes 9 months. When puppies are born, they are blind, deaf and toothless. They only start developing these things after the 3rd or 4th week. Puppies are also more likely to double their birth weight in the first week. They rely on their mother to stimulate their digestive system as they cannot urinate or poop on their own until the second week. Puppies also need to be kept warm as their temperature can drop really quickly and they can develop hypothermia.
Getting a dog is a big responsibility. You will need to take good care of it and socialise with it regularly. You may want to get items specially for dogs before you can get one. You also may need to insure that you have a nice big garden for your dog to run around in. If your dog is going to have puppies, do prepare for it! If you are going to get a new dog, items for your new dog can include:
-> Water Bowl
-> Food Bowl
-> Leash
-> Collar
-> Dog Food
Optional items include:
-> Dog chew toys (recommended for puppies)
-> Treats
->Dog brush
-> Dog shampoo
It is also recommended that you take your new dog to the vet as soon as you can so you can register your dog.
Getting a Dog
Fun Facts
-> Dogs can hear 4 times as much as humans
-> Puppies are born blind, deaf and toothless
-> An adult dog has 42 teeth
-> The average dog can run about 19 mph at full speed
-> People have been keeping dogs as pets for 12,000 years
-> Dogs have twice as much ear muscles as people
-> Your dog’s whiskers helphim “see” in the dark
-> Your dog’s sense of smell is 1,000 to 10 million times better than yours
-> Your dog can smell your feelings
-> Dogs only have sweat glans in their paws