Roscoe n Stella

The post Great Pyrenees Bite Force: Vet-Verified PSI Measure & Facts by Ashley Bates appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

Dogs have different measurements of bite force. Some of them barely hurt at all, while others can literally rip off a finger. Knowing the bite force of your dog can help you determine what kind of chewer they will be, if they can do real damage in an altercation, and many other factors. Let’s get into what bite force is and how the Great Pyrenees measures up.

What Is Bite Force?

Bite force, by definition, is the force exerted by the masticatory muscles upon the occlusal surfaces of teeth. In layman’s terms, that means the amount of force exerted from a total clenching of a bite-like motion.

You might wonder where in the world we even got the idea to measure bite force, but it’s actually a very important scientific explanation. It helps us get to know different animals better and helps us understand the powerhouses that they are .

Many animals have a bite force that far exceeds that of a human, and even that of a dog. But that doesn’t mean that the bite force of the Great Pyrenees is anything to sneeze at.

Image Credit: Sierra Tango, Shutterstock

How Is Bite Force Measured?

Bite force can be measured using several different methods. These include devices, sensors, and indirect evaluation of types. However, these devices can be unreliable, because the force of the dog’s bite can be different each time.

Newtons & PSI

To add to this variation in measurements, different studies have used different units of measurement, and the two are not easily converted to one another.

The PSI is determined by the animal biting down on an actual testing surface. The PSI is considered the more accurate of the two.

Devices

Bite sleeves are devices used to measure bite force. Typically, someone wears the bite sleeve in a controlled setting and the animal bites down on it. As the bite force is applied, the sleeve will take a measurement of the dog’s bite force.

There is another device called an MPM-3000. It uses a block on the teeth that the subject bites down on instead of a metal plate. It reads on a digital readout, measured in kilograms.

Sensors

Sensors are a bit more invasive than using devices to measure bite force. It is a very intense procedure that requires anesthesia for the animal to be sedated. It also uses a form of dental surgery, tethering the animal with wires and then measuring the bite output.

What Is the Bite Force of a Great Pyrenees?

Image Credit: Mikhail Farina, Shutterstock

Unfortunately, there is not a bite force measurement of a Great Pyrenees that is universally agreed upon or measured since measuring the bite force of a dog can be difficult (more on this below). Some estimates suggest that the bite force is around 200–240 PSI (pounds per square inch), while other estimates suggest that the bite force is over 400 PSI.

Several online sources cite extremely high bite force measurements, exceeding 700 PSI, however, there is no scientific evidence to support this data. Based on actual bit force studies involving German Shepherds and Malinois used in police work, we estimate the Great Pyrenees bite force to be around 280-340 PSI.

There are several different elements that go into the testing used to determine bite force, and so the results aren’t always accurate. This inconclusive data can create various numbers that don’t match up.

Animals With the Strongest Bite Force

All dogs have a very puny bite force in comparison to some other animals on the planet. Here are the average PSI measurements of several different powerful critters. Keep in mind that all of these numbers are strictly averages, as there is no definitive bite force to mention.

Image Credit: Martin Pelanek, Shutterstock

To give you an idea of what this all means, it takes 2,500 PSI to crush a car.

Results of Measured Bite Force

As we mentioned earlier in the article, bite force can be a very hard thing to determine. The results of bite force can be very misleading. Tests are run on animals to see the bite force using the methods we mentioned above. However, there are several different factors that go into testing ultimately.

This can lead to inconclusive results and varying numbers. Also, many researchers would include that because of the different test variants, it is an unnatural way to test an animal’s true bite force in their natural element.

So, always keep in mind that the measured bite force is a total average, and may not reflect the exact PSI of each individual animal.

Conclusion

Now you understand a little bit more about exactly what bite force is and how it is measured. The Great Pyrenees might have a significant bite, but theirs is not nearly as significant as some other animals on the planet. Even many dog breeds have a stronger bite force, so we would like to think they fall somewhere between the middle and higher end of canine forces.

The bite force of a dog does not reflect the aggression level or likelihood to bite, it is simply a way to estimate the power exerted by a dog’s jaws if they bite.

See Also: 20 Dog Breeds Built to Have the Strongest Bite Force

Featured Image Credit: Amanda Poulin, Shutterstock

The post Great Pyrenees Bite Force: Vet-Verified PSI Measure & Facts by Ashley Bates appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The post Weird Quirks My Dogs Have: Splooting, Digging & More by Allison Dorsey appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

Hi, I’m Allison! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my three mixed-breed dogs from Thailand, Jelly, Lorraina, and Manic.

Have you ever looked at your dog doing something and thought, “Wow, they are strange.” We all have. I am convinced that all dogs have some odd little quirks. Otherwise, what would people’s social media feeds look like? Personally, my Instagram would be a barren wasteland of joylessness without videos of dogs doing silly stuff.

Thankfully, Jelly, Lorraina, and Manic all have these quirks that make them unique and strangely lovable to keep me thoroughly entertained.

Why Do Dogs Have Strange Quirks?

As the old saying goes, “Dogs are gonna dog.” Okay, this is not an old saying; clearly, I just made it up. But it does hold some truth, doesn’t it?

Some of the things dogs do—things we think are ‘quirks’—are instinctual. For example, have you seen your dog cocking their head to the side when they hear or see something? Research has shown that dogs probably do this because they process information with a preferred ear or nostril1. Titling their head allowed them to assess what they smelled or heard better for protection. Things dogs do today go back to what their ancestors did for survival.

This helped me understand Lorraina’s strange quirk.

Why Does Lorraina Dig in Her Bed?

Lorraina lying on the bed

Since Lorraina is smaller than Jelly and Manic, she claimed the majority of the dog beds around the house since she can’t jump on ours. She had her main bed in our bedroom, a curved lounge used during the day, and Manic’s toy bed. His toy bed is a large orthopedic pad where we keep all his toys. During the day, he often sleeps on it or lays down and chews on one of his stuffed animals.

When Lorraina wakes up and goes out for her morning pee, she comes in and starts digging on Manic’s toy bed (Manic sleeps on our bed at night). She digs for a good few minutes and then settles down. She does not do this on any other bed; just Manic’s toy bed.

Why? Because he stinks.

Now, I am not being mean but just stating a researched reason as to why dogs dig on their beds. They are marking their territory with the scent glands on their paws2. It seems like Lorraina is trying to put her scent on the bed to claim it. But since Manic likes to lay on it in the evening, his scent still lingers. Little Lorraina is taking a stand—albeit she needs to repeat it daily!

But not all quirks are related to instinct and survival. Some are all about comfort.

Why Does Manic Sploot?

When dogs sploot, it is so cute! Hey, I can rhyme! Anyways, dogs splooting is adorable. The girls never did this, but Manic is the KING of splooting. He has done this ever since he was a puppy and shows no signs of stopping now that he is an adult.

In Thailand, it made sense why he splooted. News flash: Thailand gets HOT! Manic would sploot on our tile floor as a way of cooling off. But why did he continue doing this in the USA? He sploots on the lawn, the bed, the carpet, anywhere! He loves it. Besides cooling down, dogs sploot because it is comfortable or they feel relaxed3.

But studies have also shown that dogs also sploot to show dominance by taking up a lot of space. Ladies: have you ever been on public transport or a plane, and the man you are sitting next to spreads his legs really wide, and now you have 50% less space to sit? If Manic were human, he would be that man-spreader. Who have I raised?

But what about Jelly? What is her quirk?

Why Does Jelly Chew on Her Paws?

Jelly rubbing her face

Last, we have my senior matriarch. What does Jelly do that is a bit odd? When she is getting ready for bed, she will roll on her back and rub her face. This is a behavior Manic mimics. But sometimes, she will lie on her back and chew her paws for a few moments. She almost looks like a baby sucking their thumb.

I tried to find out why she does that. I found some answers related to itching paws, anxiety, boredom, or injuries. Older dogs also chew their paws due to arthritis. Jelly is old, but she only chews her paws when on her back, getting ready to fall asleep. I sincerely hope it is not arthritis.

Perhaps this is one quirk that has not been studied formally. Maybe she just does it because it makes her happy.

I Love Them, Quirks and All!

Dogs are unique creatures—and not just their physical traits. They have varying personalities and adorable quirks, just like people. We chew our nails when nervous or squint our eyes when trying to read fine print. We twirl our hair around our fingers when bored or fiddle with our fingers agitated.

It might be forever a mystery why our dogs do the things they do. And that is okay. After all, dogs are gonna dog.

The post Weird Quirks My Dogs Have: Splooting, Digging & More by Allison Dorsey appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The post What Do Rottweilers Eat? Vet-Approved Feeding Guide by Chantelle Fowler appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

Rottweilers are big dogs with big appetites to match, so it’s essential to feed them appropriately to ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need to thrive. However, the number of dog food products available can make choosing the right diet feel impossible.

If you’re unsure what or how much to feed your Rottie, keep reading. We’ll help you with everything you need to know about your beautiful dog’s nutritional needs so you can make an informed decision about their diet.

What Do Rottweilers Eat?

A healthy Rottweiler’s diet isn’t any different from that of any other dog breed.

The essential components of any dog’s diet are protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. The exact ratio of these ingredients can vary depending on the manufacturer and type of food. In the “Nutritional Requirements for Rottweilers” section below, we’ll touch on how the dietary needs of Rottweiler puppies, adults, and seniors vary depending on their life stage. For now, however, let’s stick to the basics.

Rottweilers can eat wet food, dry food, or a combination of both. Both types have their benefits and drawbacks.

Image Credit: cynoclub, Shutterstock

Wet Food Diet

The most significant benefit of wet (or canned) food is that dogs generally prefer it over dry. It is highly aromatic and more flavorful than dry food, which can make it more enticing for sick or senior dogs with little appetite. Due to the increased moisture content, canned food can also help promote satiety, which can be helpful when trying to manage your Rottie’s weight.

However, wet food is much more expensive than dry food and cannot be left sitting out at room temperature for long, so it has to be served at mealtimes. These factors can make canned food inaccessible to dog owners on a budget or those with strict schedules.

Dry Food Diet

A dry food diet is often much more financially feasible than wet food, it boasts a much longer shelf life, and may be more convenient to feed as it can be left out all day for Rotties that like to graze.

The downsides of kibble are that it has lower palatability and may be more likely to contain preservatives, which help maintain that extended shelf life.

Image Credit: Dmitriev Mikhail, Shutterstock

Combination Diet

A combination diet provides Rottie’s with the best of both worlds. However, when mixing both types of food, it’s essential to ensure your pup is still getting the proper portions to prevent overfeeding. Your veterinarian can help you determine exactly how much dry and wet food to offer your dog to keep them at an ideal weight.

Nutritional Requirements for Rottweilers

Nutrition is a powerful tool that can prove helpful in all stages of a Rottweiler’s life. The proper diet can be used to maintain health status, prevent health conditions, and, in some cases, even manage some diseases.

The most important consideration when feeding a Rottie is choosing food that matches their size and current life stage. Though Rottweilers are technically a “medium/large” breed, they can be upwards of 27 inches and weigh as much as 135 pounds, so their size should absolutely be accounted for when considering their nutritional needs.

Let’s look a little closer at the nutritional requirements for Rottweiler puppies, adults, and seniors.

Puppies

Large breed puppies have different nutritional requirements than their smaller counterparts. Puppies also require a different balance of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals than adult dogs. Growing pups require more calories and protein per pound than they will as adults, as they need energy to develop and build their tissues.

However, that doesn’t mean you should free-feed your Rottweiler puppy. Counting calories is essential during this growth phase, as any dog that takes in more calories than they need will gain weight, which can contribute to obesity and countless other health issues.

A Rottie puppy should be fed food specifically formulated for puppies. Owners should search for the nutritional adequacy statement on the pet food packaging to ensure it says it’s “complete and balanced” for growth. This statement is only printed onto food labels if the manufacturer’s formula contains the right balance of nutrients to support this essential phase of a puppy’s life.

Some pet food companies have developed diets formulated specifically for certain breeds, which are generally appropriate for your pup to eat. However, owners should still confirm that the food has the nutritional adequacy statement for growth.

Rotties should be fed puppy food until they are 12 to 18 months old, at which point they can be transitioned to an adult formula.

Image Credit: cynoclub, Shutterstock

Adults

Adult Rotties need fewer calories per pound of body weight than they do as puppies. This breed is prone to obesity, so it’s vital to monitor caloric intake to prevent excess weight gain.

Rottweilers are prone to orthopedic diseases like hip and elbow dysplasia. These conditions can be affected by what and how much they’re fed. Overfeeding your pup can cause problems beyond orthopedic issues, such as obesity and related conditions.

Many pet food manufacturers include ingredients to support joint health in their large dog breed formulas. These can consist of ingredients like glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids.

Just as owners should find the nutritional adequacy statement on their puppy’s food, they should search for a similar statement on their adult dog’s food. The specific statements can vary depending on the diet’s development. Still, they should include a phrase that suggests that the food contains the appropriate nutritional levels for maintenance.

Note: Nutritional adequacy statements for some foods may suggest they’re appropriate for “all life stages.” These foods have been formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of both puppies and adults and may not be the best choice for all dogs as they will contain sufficient calories and fat for puppies which may be too much for adult dogs.

Image Credit: everydoghasastory, Shutterstock

Seniors

Most senior dog foods are less calorically dense than puppy and adult diets, and they may contain ingredients for joint and brain health. The nutrient content in senior foods can vary greatly, which is why it’s so important to keep an open line of communication with your veterinary team.

Again, foods with a nutritional adequacy statement that states they are appropriate for “all life stages” may not be suitable for seniors as these diets are formulated to meet the requirements for growing puppies. Most Rottweilers are considered seniors around seven years of age. Speak to your vet about the best time to transition to a senior diet.

How Much Should a Rottweiler Eat?

We cannot provide exact portion sizes for Rottweilers as several key factors influence how much they should eat.

For example, Rotties who spend their day guarding or herding will burn more calories than those who spend their entire day inside. Similarly, obese Rottweilers on a weight loss diet will have different dietary needs and portion sizes than those at a healthy weight. What’s more, male Rotties can weigh up to 30 pounds more than their female counterparts and may need to eat a bit more to compensate. The food also plays a part as more calorically dense diets will require smaller portions.

That said, depending on their size and activity level, Rotties generally eat anywhere between three to six cups of dry food daily.

Image Credit: Rita_Kochmarjova, Shutterstock

How Often Should a Rottweiler Eat?

Young Rottie puppies should be fed three or four times daily to prevent low blood sugar.

As puppies get older and definitely by the time they have transitioned to an adult dog food diet, their feedings can be cut back to twice daily. Owners should adhere to measured and scheduled feedings to prevent obesity. Planned and measured feedings are essential for deep-chested breeds like Rotties, who can also be prone to developing bloat and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).

Final Thoughts

Canine nutrition can be challenging to understand, but getting the basics down is essential when your Rottweiler’s health is at stake.

Rotties can eat dry food, wet food, or a combination of the two. Ultimately, whatever you choose to feed your dog should have a nutritional adequacy statement on the packaging that states it is complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage.

The exact portion sizes for a Rottweiler will depend on several factors unique to each dog, so it’s best to talk to your veterinary team to determine how much your pup should be eating. Your vet will take your pup’s health, age, and lifestyle into account to provide you with exact portion sizes.

Featured Image Credit: Stokkete, Shutterstock

The post What Do Rottweilers Eat? Vet-Approved Feeding Guide by Chantelle Fowler appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The post How Many Puppies Can a French Bulldog Have? Vet-Verified Average Litter Size & Pregnancy Info by Ashley Bates appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

French Bulldogs certainly are an interesting breed. They are one of the most popular dogs for a reason, touting the squishiest, cutest faces, and the best personalities! You might’ve noticed if you’ve been browsing that these dogs cost a pretty penny! In fact, they are one of the most expensive popular dog breeds to buy. There is a reason for this, other than just their popularity. A lot of it has to do with the complications of breeding these dogs and the size of their litters.

French Bulldogs typically only have 2 to 4 puppies per litter, and they are rarely able to give birth naturally so most puppies are born via C-section. So, whether you’re on a breeder’s waiting list for a puppy or your French Bulldog is currently pregnant, in this article, we’re going to go over important things to know about a French Bulldog pregnancy and birth. Then, you can understand a little bit more about the difficulties with breeding Frenchies, and the financial and ethical considerations.

How Many Puppies Do French Bulldogs Have?

According to the American Kennel Club, French Bulldogs will typically only have 2 to 4 puppies in a litter.1 Although the largest known litter is 7 puppies, litters larger than 5 puppies are very rare.

Like many Bulldog breeds, French Bulldog pups have large heads and the mothers have narrow hips. This can cause major complications, such as puppies being lodged in the birth canal, when they try to give birth naturally. This leads to the majority of French Bulldog puppies being born via C-section, which of course should only be performed by a licensed veterinarian.

This can be a costly procedure, which is one reason why French Bulldog puppies often cost so much. The inability to give birth naturally also raises some ethical concerns about the breeding of French Bulldogs.

Image Credit: Kotova Miroslava, Shutterstock

Signs of a French Bulldog Pregnancy

If you think your Frenchie might be pregnant but aren’t sure, it can take several weeks for them to start showing signs that they are carrying.

Signs can include:

Consult with your veterinarian to confirm the pregnancy. An ultrasound scan is usually the preferred method and is usually performed between days 25 and 28 of pregnancy.

How Long Is a French Bulldog Pregnancy?

Unlike humans that are pregnant for around 9 months, a French Bulldog is pregnant for around 9 weeks. On average, a French Bulldog pregnancy lasts around 63 days in total.

Stages of Pregnancy

A French Bulldogs pregnancy can be roughly divided into three stages.

Image Credit: Nadya Chetah, Shutterstock

Most Frenchies Get Pregnant via Artificial Insemination

A Frenchie’s physical structure also leads to challenges with mating. The breed’s broad chests and narrow hips makes it challenging for the male to mount the female and makes natural mating difficult. Because of this breeding often involves artificial insemination. Of course, this particular way of breeding is more expensive as it requires veterinary supervision and intervention, again raising ethical concerns.

Can French Bulldogs Have a Normal Delivery?

Because of the size of French Bulldog puppies’ heads, they have a lot of trouble making it through the birth canal naturally. In fact data has shown that more than 80% of French Bulldogs require a cesarean to give birth. To reduce the high risk of complications associated with birthing, vets will usually advise elective C-sections for French Bulldogs.

While the mother will still have to undergo anesthesia and be closely monitored, it prevents the risks of lodged puppies, hemorrhaging, and other serious and even fatal complications.

If you know that your French Bulldog is pregnant, it is important to schedule an appointment with a vet as soon as possible so that they can monitor the pregnancy and get your dog scheduled for a C-section when it is close to time for her to give birth. Your vet may also need to perform blood tests, ultrasounds, and many other forms of prenatal care.

Once the puppies have been born, the vetting does not end. Your vet will closely monitor the newborn puppies in their development to ensure they are of sound health, and monitor the mother as she recovers from surgery.

Image Credit: jubatusdj, Shutterstock

Preparing for the Birth

Mothers will naturally start their nesting instincts to prepare for birth. At this time, you might notice personality changes and interesting behaviors that signal it’s getting near her due date. At this stage, usually by the 6-week mark, you can start to make your female more comfortable for the approaching birth.

Give Her Privacy

Your French Bulldog might become antsy or restless when she is prepared to give birth. In the week or two prior to delivery, she might start exhibiting many signs to let you know she is almost at the finish line.

Even if she is having a C-section and isn’t giving birth at home, it is important to let her do her thing and relax before she expends her energy with the process of entering motherhood.

Make the Area Distraction-Free

You should make sure to give your French Bulldog female time apart from other animals or small children in the home. She should be in a distraction-free environment, where she is not stressed or nervous in her surroundings.

Find a quiet space away from the chaos of the home to allow her to have her space at this time. Again, even if she is having a C-section, you don’t want to add additional stress to her at this time, which can negatively affect her health and the puppies.

Image Credit: Innaponomareva21, Shutterstock

Use the Right Bedding

When you are creating a whelping box for your female, it is crucial to buy the right materials to create a mess free, clean environment for the letter. This is partly up to you, as it depends on your preference.

However, puppies need a clean surface that lies flat and provides traction. Many breeders will choose puppy pads with washable blankets. Avoid deep or loose bedding that puppies could get caught and that could affect their breathing.

Keep in Contact with Your Vet

Make sure that your vet is on standby and ready. Remember that it is likely that your vet will schedule the elective C-section prior to when natural labor would occur to avoid complications.

How to Care for a French Bulldog and Her Puppies

When the mother gives birth to the litter, care is essential from square one. Not only is carrying her through the pregnancy without complications important, but it’s also important that you understand how to care for both the mother and her puppies during this taxing time.

Nutrition

Nutrition is going to be on the list of important categories when you think about a mother and her litter of puppies. The puppies will, of course, be fed by their mother, so that is why her nutrition is so crucial at this time. Speak to your vet for specific recommendations but it is usually recommended to start feeding a pregnant dog puppy chow from around week 6 of pregnancy and when lactating. This is because it’s richer in key nutrients and more energy dense than adult foods.

Plus, when it comes time for the puppies to start solids, you already have a bag ready to go!

Image Credit: Nadya Chetah, Shutterstock

Comfort

Keeping the mother and her puppies comfortable is a crucial part of care. If the mother had any complications, she might be recovering. Since these dogs often have to have a C-section, she will have wounds that will need to be cared for and monitored. Check the incision site multiple times daily for redness, swelling or discharge and contact your vet with any concerns.

You’ll also want to monitor the mother for any signs of discomfort, which can lead to a disinterest in nursing, and make sure all the puppies are feeding well.

Vetting

Ensure that you are taking your female to all vet appointments that are necessary. During this time, it is imperative that her health, healing, and rearing are taken seriously.

Not only is each puppy completely important on its own, but the health of the mother is also paramount to keep all the puppies safe and protected. Your vet will be able to monitor her behavior and healing progress to see if she is on track.

Conclusion

Now you know a brief overview of what to expect with a French Bulldog pregnancy, they typically have small litters of only 2 to 4 puppies. Unfortunately Frenchies are more likely to have issues with pregnancy and giving birth than most other breeds of dogs, and it’s important to understand that this is not something you should do on your own. Seek vet advice if you want to breed your French Bulldog, prenatal care is essential and your dog will likely need close supervision from your vet through all stages of pregnancy and the birth.

Featured Image Credit: Firn, Shutterstock

The post How Many Puppies Can a French Bulldog Have? Vet-Verified Average Litter Size & Pregnancy Info by Ashley Bates appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The post Do Dogs Have Different Blood Types? Vet-Verified Facts & Info by Matt Jackson appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

If you have been thinking about your own blood type recently, you may have been wondering if dogs have different blood types too. Blood can be classified into different groups and these can also be called types. Like humans, dogs do have different blood types, but they are not the same as we have.

Humans are known to have four main blood groups using the ABO system—A, B, AB, and O, and each of these can be rh negative or rh positive. Giving 8 groups in total for humans. Dogs have around 12 blood groups, with 6 of these being the most clinically important and a few more rare ones found in some specific breeds such as Dalmatians and Shih Tzus.

Some dog tags include the dog’s blood type, and your vet may hold this information if your dog has had a transfusion or been a blood donor.

What Are Blood Types?

Blood is a complex body fluid with many functions vital to life. It can be classified into groups or types which is essential information when a blood transfusion is required. Antigens are structures that may be found on the surface of the red blood cells. Red blood cells can be positive or negative for a particular antigen.

The blood group of an individual is classified by the antigens found on the surface of the red blood cells.

Image Credit: create jobs 51, Shutterstock

Dog Blood Types

Blood types in dogs are named as Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Dal, Kai-1, and Kai-2. Dogs can be positive or negative for these antigens, e.g. DEA 4 + or DEA 4-.

Blood type is determined by genes, which are inherited from the parents. As such, it is common for dogs of the same breed to have the same blood type, but not always. DEA 1.1 negative type is considered the “Universal Donor” for dog blood transfusions.

Blood type DEA 1.1 negative is a relatively rare blood type in dogs, but it is considered the universal donor blood type that is safe to give to most dogs in need of a blood transfusion. Although it is somewhat rare, the following breeds are more likely to have this blood type:

Conversely, the following breeds are more likely to be DEA 1.1 positive:

Dog Blood Donors

Dogs need blood donors, just like humans do. There are programs set up specifically to take donations of blood from dogs. Some veterinary clinics also provide these services and, in some cases, donors receive free gifts, discounts on treatment, and other incentives.

To be considered as a blood donor your dog would likely need to be fit and healthy, not on any medications, between 1 and 8 years of age, current with their vaccinations, and over 50 pounds in weight with an easy-to-handle temperament.

Ask your vet if you are interested in donating your dog’s blood and they should be able to advise of a local program or scheme that is looking for donors.

Image Credit: Eduard Goricev, Shutterstock

When Might a Dog Need a Blood Transfusion?

Blood donors are required when dogs need blood transfusions. Most commonly, dogs need transfusions when they have suffered massive blood loss, either after an accident, due to serious illness, immune system destruction of red blood cells, or even following an operation. This is usually an emergency situation with time of the essence.

Von Willebrand Disease is a blood clotting condition that causes bleeding and can lead to a dog losing a lot of blood, requiring transfusion.

Is There a Universal Dog Blood Type?

DEA 1.1 negative is considered a universal blood type for dogs and O negative for humans. As Greyhounds are often DEA 1.1 negative they are sought after as blood donors. If a dog is receiving a blood transfusion for the first time the safest donor would be DEA 1.1 negative as there are no naturally occurring antibodies to this blood type. Thus an immediate and severe transfusion reaction is not likely.

Transfusion Reactions

The interaction of antigens and antibodies between recipient and donor blood can cause destruction of red blood cells in the recipient and as such it is important to match up the blood types before a transfusion. This is especially important if the dog has received a blood transfusion in the past.

If a recipient dog has antibodies in their blood plasma to antigens present on the donor dog’s red blood cells they will be seen as foreign and destroyed.  This is a type of transfusion reaction. These reactions can range from mild to life-threatening, so the correct blood type must be given during any transfusion.

Cross-matching blood is a test performed before a transfusion to test blood compatibility.

Image Credit: enko.stock, Shutterstock

What is The Rarest Blood Type in Dogs?

As well as being the universal blood donor type for dogs, DEA 1.1 negative is, unfortunately, considered amongst the rarest blood types. There have been blood types specific to Dalmations and Shih Tzu discovered so in terms of numbers these would be the most rare. In contrast, DEA 1.1 positive is the most common canine blood type.

Can a Human Give Blood to a Dog?

Human blood and dog blood are incompatible and contain very different antigens, which effectively means the dog’s body would actively reject a human’s donor blood. Therefore, human blood cannot be safely given to dogs.

Conclusion

Just like humans, dogs have different blood types. Unlike humans, who have four blood types, dogs have more than 12 different blood types. Blood type is important when transfusions are performed, and these could be required when a dog suffers significant blood loss, typically following an accident, after surgery, or as a result of certain diseases.

Interestingly, the first-ever blood transfusion performed was not on a human but was performed on a dog.

Featured Image Credit: Kamil Macniak, Shutterstock

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