Understanding the characteristics of your dog’s breed will allow you to care for your best friend easier and more thoroughly because you are aware of any potential health risks. It can positively impact their well-being, especially in their older years because you the prevention you have taken will result in fewer health problems.

One dilemma which a lot of canines will encounter is hip dysplasia, especially a problem for bigger pets, but pugs can also be prone to have this problem. Hip Dysplasia occurs when there is some malformation of the hip joint and the femur bone does not fit correctly, which can cause the dog a lot of pain and in severe cases the dog may need surgery or have to be put down. Mild cases are easier to deal with, they mainly need a good diet and exercise routine.

If the pug’s nostrils are narrow or constrained, he has a problem called “stenotic nares,” which can strain his body and lead to an enlarged heart. Signs of this condition, which can be corrected with surgery, include mouth breathing and nasal discharge that is foamy.

A condition in which the eyelids fold inward, causing eye trouble including ulcerations and scratches, is called entropion. The usual way to treat your puppy dog for this malady is surgery, but it’s important to note early on the signs and symptoms for it to be successfully controlled.

Dry Eyes is another condition that can fairly commonly occur in pugs. Dry Eyes is a deficiency in producing enough tears to keep their eyes nice and lubricated. There are a few things that can cause the tear ducts not to produce enough tears, blockage of the duct, failure of the tear ducts or lack of nerve stimulation to the tear ducts, and treatment is dependent upon how severe the condition is.

Demodectic skin mites is a common problem among many dogs and comes in two forms. There are several forms of mange, one seen in dogs of less than one year,is a localized demodectic mange, which appears on the skin as small hairless patches. The next type is typically characterized by demodectic mange manifested by large areas of healthy looking skin without hair and dogs of any age can have this.

If you currently own a pug or plan to in the future, there are many health problems that you should watch for; contact your vet if you suspect your dog may have any of the conditions listed above.

Your dog’s health is important. And there are some health issues common only to particular breeds of dog. If you’re a pug owner, or thinking of adding a pug to your family, you’ll want to find out all you can about pug health issues.

- Melinda Smith

One of the most expensive things about owning poodles is keeping them well groomed, but if you learn to do this yourself, you’ll develop a better relationship with your pet, and you’ll save a lot of money in the long run. Although grooming poodles may seem complex, anyone can learn and master the skill. You just need patience and the willingness to practise your skills.

It takes about three hours to groom a standard poodle once the skill is mastered, but you may need to divide the task over multiple days during the learning process. This is both to give you a break, and for your poodle. If you’re not willing to learn poodle grooming on your own, or are worried about the time it takes, you’ll have to choose a professional to do it, but remember to pick this person out carefully. Talking to other poodle owners is a good way to find a good groomer.

We can look at some books and I can suggest some cuts, but you’ll have to decide which trim you prefer. Poodle fur works well with many different styles, but your choice will depend on your willingness to devote time to the dog’s grooming. The sorts of activities you and your poodle engage in will also affect the style, since show poodles are limited in the type of trims they can wear.

All show poodles must have a variation on the traditional lion cut, of which there are three variations on this kind of poodle grooming - continental, English saddle, and puppy. Each of these cuts, as it turns out, is a derivative of the famous “poodle” cut that is seen so often. Originally, this cut was created to help these dogs swim more effectively while retrieving birds from the water, as a long mane of fur on the chest protected the lungs and heart, and the tufts on the legs offered joint protection.

When it comes to non-competing poodles, you have much more to choose from. If you opt for a shorter trim, you’ll find maintenance easier, especially during the winter months when it’s easier to dry. Longer trims are showier, but they’ll require more maintenance, so check some grooming books, or take a look at a few poodles to figure out what you prefer.

Most people like to keep the base of the tail, legs and face trimmed close, since long hair can trap food particles and this keeps the dog cleaner. Shorter coats on your dog are easier to wash,dry and brush than a dog with a fluffy, long coat. Remember short clipped feet won’t pick up grass seeds, which means the dog will not track in as much dirt. Always wash your poodle before grooming to keep your clippers and scissors in good shape, and use high quality equipment, too. Although it’s more expensive to start with, it’ll make poodle grooming much easier.

Poodle grooming is an important part of owning a poodle. Find out how grooming poodles properly can really be a fun thing for you to do with your dog.

- Melinda Smith