- I am one of the many Kuvasz
who is VERY VERY SENSITIVE TO ANESTHETIC.
While an anesthetic like Isoflurane gas can eliminate some of the
risk, it is imperative your human knows and follows pre and post sedation
instructions, knows your exact weight, and that the clinic staff is not only
AWARE of KUVASZ SENSITIVITY, but actively
demonstrates EXTRA CARE AND CONCERN.
- While we are on the topic of
concern, do your Kuvasz have concerns, or do certain things
upset them? If the answer is yes, you might be interested in this safe and
natural way to calm them - Bach Flower Remedies.
You can usually obtain these remedies and guides to their understanding and
use at health or natural food stores.
- While Phantom was off getting
poked with needles and walking in water, I was trying to balance my yin and
yang, and especially my qi. In the extraordinary book Four Paws Five Directions, A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs, you
can learn about the five elements, meridians, vital essences, herbology, food
therapy and even acupressure and massage techniques. Veterinarian Cheryl Schwartz will teach you how to treat literally
every part of the Kuvasz body inside and out.
- A lady we know says anyone
who has a large dog and carpets, but doesn't have a steam cleaner or rug
shampooer, is stupid. Every once in a while a nameless person here could
be seen blotting rug areas with water soaked towels to prevent staining
before the professionls could arrive. So I guess we know who falls into
the stupid category. Although in his defence, it only took him a few years
to catch on. He also realized after reading the book above, that Phantom
and I seemed to invariably get sick around the same time of day - 5:30 am.
So he walks us at 5:00 am.
- I've always liked visiting
the vet. That's not only because I'm an affable Kuvasz, but because when
I was little I attended a puppy party at a veterinary clinic. Most of the
pups there were the same age (16 weeks or so) and had their second round
of innoculations. The people there with the pups gave me treats and so did
the clinic staff. It was a good business and public relations promotion
for the clinic, it was a good way to socialize the pups on a Sunday afternoon,
and I've never been intimidated going to any vet clinic since.
- The largest wire dog crate
available was my den when I was a little guy. It was a very cozy home for
me until I was older and could be trusted not to get into mischief when left
unsupervised. It seemed to move around the house depending on where the
action was and where the people were during the day and night. Sometimes
a blanket thrown over top made it nice and dark. That kennel is still here,
and on occasion when it's set up for a visiting pooch I still like to go
in and lie down. It is also a good place to rest if a doggie needs a place
to be perfectly still when they are recuperating from a hurt or sickness.
- Kuvasz are very furry dogs
so you can't always see little growths and such right away. If you examine
us thoroughly at least once a week, maybe while you are grooming us,
you might detect a problem early and prevent future serious complications.
- Until I was about 5 months
old I was car sick every time I got into a vehicle including my very first
time. I didn't find out until years later that a couple of spoonfuls of
honey would have settled my stomach.
- We shouldn't wear chokers and
collars unless we are on leash, and especially not when we are left unattended,
or when we are playing with other dogs. If we should snag them on something,
or if another dog's tooth gets caught in a link, we can panic and strangle
or seriously hurt ourselves.
- Phantom and I have very comfortable
polar fleece boots which we occasionally wear in the winter
time. They have velcro straps that wrap around the top so they stay on, but
even if they fall off it's pretty easy to see red in the snow. The boots protect
our feet in the very cold weather, keep the ice from collecting in our pads,
and our humans have been known to tape them on if we have made a mess by
scratching too much someplace. They came from a man who races sled dogs and
were very inexpensive.
- I have always had problems
- otitis externa with my ears. Many floppy eared dogs do.
The lack of air circulation exacerbates pre-existing factors such as bacterial
and yeast infections, parasitic infestations, allergic (especially to food)
reactions, the presence of foreign bodies, and autoimmune disease. However
my people check my ears regularly, and especially when I seem to be shaking
my head and scratching frequently. They clean my ears weekly with a 50-50
combination of white vinegar and water, and the problems don't seem to appear
quite so often. They made a little hole in the cap of the vinegar bottle and
while I'm lying on my side they pour in the concoction. Then they put a cotton
ball in to keep the fluid from running out, and massage my ear canal from
the outside, almost like they are trying to push the wax from the bottom to
the opening. It makes quite a squishy sound. Then they roll me over and do
the other ear. After that I go outside and shake my head and make the cotton
balls fly out 50 feet in opposite directions. A quick wipe with another cotton
ball to clear out the residue, and I don't have any excuse not to hear them
talking to me. Just like the nail clipping, tooth brushing, and all my other
grooming requirements, they've done it since I was the size of a little roast.
I objected then but couldn't do much about it because I was so little. But
I'm used to it now and don't mind too much, in fact sometimes I even go to
sleep when they are cleaning me.
- A soccer ball inflated to about
90% capacity (so we can sometimes cheat and carry it using our teeth) makes
a great toy for little pups and big pups. Sweatshirt type sleeves and the
arms and legs from other discarded clothing can make pretty good tug of
war material for 2 or more Kuvasz.
- I'm a real chow hound and treat
moocher. But anyone can take food or treats right out of my mouth. In fact
when I was little Gregory ate the vegetables right out of my bowl while I
was eating. Karen used to and still occasionally holds onto my rawhide bones
while I'm chewing and even takes them away for awhile. Babies have given
me some of their food and then taken it right out of my mouth. I don't mind
because I've always received lots of praise when I don't react, and I know
there will be lots of treats and food to come later.
- When it's warm and we are on
safari I get very thirsty. My humans bought a dromedary bag from a camping
store and they bring along a frisbee to use as a drinking dish. Your people
can also get water bottles and canteens from sporting goods stores. While
we are on the topic of warm... NEVER EVER LEAVE A DOG IN A VEHICLE WHEN
TEMPERATURES ARE HOT! Even with the window down a little, and even if
it's "just for a minute", a car parked in the sun can turn into a deadly
oven. Also please keep in mind that my feet and pads can burn if I walk on
pavement or a similar surface on a hot day.
- My Kuvaszok ancestors and I
are reputed to possess extraordinary endurance and be able to run great distances.
In part that is true, however you should be aware our natural Kuvasz
trot is a gait which is probably about the same speed as a
person would jog slowly. Moreover, even if we are healthy enough to train
with you, we really shouldn't run distances before we are a year old, and
you should take care not to always run with us on hard surfaces. Keep in
mind that we can't tell you when we start to develop shin splints and other
training related injuries, and most of the time we have high pain thresholds
which could subsequently be to our detriment. And don't be too surprised
if we run a mile or two with you and then just quit. We weren't carriage
dogs like Dalmatians, and we don't always see the point to running aimlessly
with you just for the sake of doing so.
- Phantom would stay home even
if the yard wasn't fenced, but I wouldn't. Almost every door and gate has
to be modified to keep me from breaking free and roaming, no matter where
I am. I use my teeth, my nose, my paws, my body weight, or whatever it takes
to be free. I can climb, jump, and shapeshift through openings you would
think only a mouse could. Even invisible fencing couldn't hold me! I just
grit my teeth and ran through the momentary shock. So for the safety and
welfare of your Kuvasz, please keep in mind they may be like me, and enjoy
breaking free. This touring isn't always for social purposes either. Pet
and working Kuvasz alike will often try to expand the territory they protect.
- Sometimes Gregory gets quite
annoyed with me when I don't come right away when called. And my dog language
signals didn't work on him until after he read the book On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas.
It's only a little book 33 pages long, but now he knows I yawn, or stop and
sniff the grass, or walk in a curve toward him instead of directly, because
I don't have any chill pills or tranquilizers to give him. This Norwegian
lady's book, and her seminars all over the world, teach humans how and why
dogs do some of the things they do using body gestures. He's also much more
observant when we're around many other dogs now.
- I was about 132 lbs for the
first 4 years of my life. No one ever told Gregory I was overweight, and based
on feel he didn't think I was. Nor did any of the many many veterinarians
we saw in that time even hint at the fact. Then after he stopped feeding
us dog food I lost weight. A lot of weight. Since then I've been 110 lbs
and never more fit and energetic in my life. The vets agree, and admit they
don't tell clients their dogs are fat because they don't want to offend them,
and realize most aren't going to do anything about it anyway.
- The rounded tips of moustache
scissors make trimming hair around eyes, ears, and in fact everywhere less
dangerous.
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- I really enjoyed running and
playing. Unfortunately my back leg conformation is not very good, and I began
suffering rear end stiffness when I was only 5 months old. Then in December
of 1997 when I was only 4 years old something happened in my left leg and
I wasn't able to run and play for a long while. While at first glance it
might seem some injury occurred at that time, it didn't. The severe limp and
discomfort was the result of damage over time, and as a direct result of
my very straight hip configuration and cow hocks. But as bleak as my situation
appeared, there were some remedies available.
- So you've just had some kind
of knee surgery? Well make sure your person wraps and holds a towel or scarf
under your abdomen so they can lift and take the weight off a girl's back
legs when she squats to pee.
- Although we Kuvasz grow to
be quite large, we can run very fast and sometimes our reflexes get the better
of us. So when I was very small I was taught an emergency command.
Whenever I heard the word sit from my humans I stopped whatever I
was doing and put my behind on the ground. Sometimes they weren't too concerned
when I ignored some of the other words they taught me, but I absolutely had
to obey that emergency word. They used it often, especially when I was young.
I overheard them say it was easier to get me to sit than to come,
especially if I was running in the opposite direction. Once they had my attention
I would usually go to them when they called me.
- Triumph may like visiting the
vet but I don't! It wasn't such a bad place before Gregory left me for a whole
day to be spayed at 8 months of age, and after that I disliked going into
new buildings because I thought every one was a clinic. If your Kuvasz reacts
the same way, you might consider visiting vet clinics regularly and especially
when your dog isn't sick. When you are going by the vet's stop in and just
weigh your pooch. Chat with the staff or people and pets in the waiting room.
Give them treats to give your dog. Then those hospital places might not always
be associated with sickness, pain, and being left with strangers.
- A 50 foot nylon rope attached
to my collar with a clasp that swiveled, gave my slow two legged companions
a bit of chance in a foot race with me. They tied quadruple knots along
the rope so it wouldn't slide through their hands or under their feet if
they were trying to catch it. They would call me one time while holding
the rope, and if I didn't go to them they could enforce their command
with a tug.
- STICKS ARE DANGEROUS!
Running with a stick in your mouth can cause injury. Someone throwing a stick
can hurt a dog too. Eating sticks can make Kuvasz sick or damage them internally.
- A dog's teeth are not indestructible,
and while some Kuvasz may have stronger teeth than others, chew hooves and
very hard bones can break our teeth. Did you know that humans actually have
more enamel on their teeth than dogs do? Human enamel is 4 millimeters thick
while a dog's is only 1. That's because people's teeth are meant to grind
while canines are supposed to tear their food. It is very important that you care for our
teeth.
- While we are on the subject
of teeth... you should check with your insurance agent to make sure your dog is included in your homeowner's policy in the event she should injure someone, whether by a bite or otherwise, or cause an accident of some kind. You need to make sure you are covered in case of liability.
- Puppy fur can be quite fine
and delicate. So when my choker started a bald spot on my neck, I began to
wear a mock turtle neck or dickie under it. These clothing articles
can be many different materials, and can be worn as protection under Elizabethan
collars after surgery as well.
- It is relatively easy to teach
a Kuvasz pup pet to poop and pee on command. Why would you want to you might
ask? There are several reasons, including expediency during inclement weather
and while travelling, when samples for the vet are necessary, or when one
is restricted to short walks on leash after a surgery for example. You may
also consider teaching your Kuvasz pup to bark on command. If you can
turn them on, then you will likely also be able to turn them
off.
- There are lots of different
kinds of dog beds and pillows, but most of them are not so large that I can
stretch out on them. Sometimes a human mattress can be just as good or better.
If you put a plastic mattress cover under the sheet to protect it from the
wet and dirt we drag in quite frequently, the bed will last a long time. You
can also buy a baby crib mattress which doesn't take up quite as much space
and is moisture and soil resistant.
- I've always had quite an alpha
personality even more than your average Kuvasz. One way that Gregory enforces
his dominance over me is to pick me up. He has always lifted us and any other
dogs in and out of the back of his truck. That's not just because he doesn't
want us to hurt ourselves, but so we understand he is not only our friend
but also our alpha. Dogs don't like to be off balance and not in control.
Kuvasz in particular like to be in charge and control. But we don't fuss when
he picks us up and thereby acknowledge that we don't mind him being in charge.
On a couple of occasions it was lucky I was used to being picked up and
even carried, because I was hurt and couldn't walk.
- Karen always taught us to take
treats very carefully and politely. When we were very young she made us wait
- which taught us patience, and made us understand we shouldn't reach
for a snack. Then she would feed us a very very small portion from her lips.
We had to be very gentle taking the treat, and not snap with our teeth, so
we didn't make her yelp. As a result I whisper treats from human hands. Nonetheless
Karen always shows children how to hold the treats in the palm of their hands
so other doggies lick them off without using their teeth.
- A long scarf, or bandana, or
similar clothing can be used as a temporary muzzle in an emergency. An injured
dog does not always know you are trying to help, so a loop around the muzzle
and a loop and tie around the neck just below the ears can prevent a bite.
- One day I kissed a man on on
the cheek and 10 minutes later he had a rash. There is no pet dog or cat
who is hypoallergenic. People can be allergic to the allergens in a
pet's saliva and skin dander. The fact of the matter is that some humans
out there are allergic to everything and anything. However usually allergic
reactions are relative. In this case they are relative to the amount of allergen
to which a person is exposed. The less fur and dander a dog produces and
sheds, especially a big dog like a Kuvasz, the better. Unlike Poodles, Bichon
Frises, and Schnauzers, we Kuvasz do shed, (a lot) so frequent grooming,
proper nutrition to reduce dry skin, and even the use of topical humectants
like Humilac can reduce allergen production. According to a local allergist
it is not unusual for pet companions like Karen and Gregory to become partially
desensitized to their own breed of dog or cat, but they may become more sensitive
to others.
- Have you made specific arrangements
in your will for your Kuvasz in case something happens to you? Do you have
a regular veterinarian for your Kuvasz? Does the clinic provide 24 hour
emergency service? If not, you could maintain a relationship with the regular
vet, but also introduce your Kuvasz and yourself to the staff at a facility
which is always accessible. Then they will have a medical history and records
in case a need arises, and will also be familiar to you. Does your dog's
microchip, tag, or other identification include your vet's phone number or
other specific contact information? Does your vet have written approval to
administer medical attention to your dog if necessary? If you and your companion
were both injured in a car accident for example, and you were unconscious,
a vet should still be able to help your Kuvasz. The pre-existing waiver might
also save your companion's life if she was separated from you and involved
in an accident of some kind.
- You should have your emergency
phone numbers of all kinds, Kuvasz contacts included, in an easy to find location
like the refrigerator. You don't want to be fumbling around in a panic looking
for the Animal Poison Control 1-888-426-4435.
- Is your Kuvasz in contact with
many dogs at play areas, dog shows, or boarding kennels? It might be a good
idea for her to have a bordatella shot. Triumph and I get a quick spray
up our nose each spring. The protection lasts about 6 months, and while it
is only effective against certain strains of kennel cough, in much the same
way human flu shots work, it's better than nothing.
- Years ago there was a tragic
accident reported on the Internet by Kuvasz owners. They had just moved into
a 20 year old house purchased in the southwestern United States. A happy 6
year old Kuvasz girl had a yard to play in and nice deck to lie under for
protection from the noon day sun. One morning not long after they discovered
her in the yard in severe distress and barely breathing. She died. It seems
the deck had been treated with termite protection when the house was new,
and although the product had been banned for years, its organ crippling ingredients
never broke down. They had simply been washed from the deck into the dirt
underneath. The pet dug and lay and even ate the dirt. A person couldn't
even imagine this happening.
- Our nails must be cut regularly.
If they aren't, it can affect the way our foot lands, and even hurt us.
You should start when you bring us home as babies. You don't need to take
a lot off, in fact just the very tip is fine if you are concerned about cutting
too short. And if you do cut too short, just touch the nail tip into a bar
of soap and that will usually stop the bleeding.
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