What and how to feed the Caucasian Shepherd

Caucasian Shepherds are considered one of the largest dogs in the world, and their weight and size often exceed standard ones. The main thing that is required of the owner when raising and keeping a pet of this breed is to ensure that the weight and height of the animal are in the correct ratio and are not lower than the minimum standard limits.

Height and weight chart

Up to 2 weeks after birth

At birth, puppies weigh between 600 and 800 grams. If a baby weighs less than the minimum limit, then he is unlikely to be able to grow into a large dog with strong bones and voluminous muscles. But puppies weighing more than 800 grams can turn out to be problematic in terms of health and, moreover, significantly outgrow the standard.

Newborn babies are inactive: they sleep most of the time and eat very often. At the same time, their daily weight gain ranges from 113 to 200 grams.

By the age of two weeks, the body weight of puppies is 2000–3880 grams.

Short story

There is no exact information about the origin of the Caucasian Shepherd. There is evidence that their distant ancestors were wolves and jackals, due to their external similarity, behavior, and internal structure. Perhaps their ancestors are Central Asian dogs that came to the Caucasus with tribes of cattle breeders. True, other natural conditions and offspring from local dogs could change their appearance.

The Caucasian Shepherd was first mentioned in 1121 BC. when the wolfhound was presented to the emperor of the Zhou Dynasty. In former times, giving a dog to a ruler or noble person was a sign of great respect. They were a symbol of loyalty, devotion and strength, and were a very valuable gift. In Ancient Egypt, Assyria, and Greece it was considered a sacred animal. In Altai, they are worshiped to this day.

The second version indicates that their homeland was the ancient state of Urartu, located in the Caucasus, its center was on the territory of modern Armenia. The heyday of the state occurred in the 7th century. BC, from which we can conclude that the breed already lived in the Caucasus. Images similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog were found; in those days they guarded the cities and fortresses of Urartu.

Caucasian Shepherd dog photo on the grass

In Russia, during the conquest of the Caucasus, a decree was issued on the introduction of Caucasian shepherd dogs for guard duty during military operations. Archaeologists have found many embalmed mummies of the animal, which serves as evidence that in the past these pets were revered as members of the family. In the Caucasus, people used them as fighting, baiting and herding - watchdogs.

Caucasian shepherds wanted to breed a breed that could withstand any climatic conditions. Big and strong, she was supposed to become a faithful assistant to the shepherd and a reliable protector of the flock from predators and thieves. They could withstand long treks through the mountains and felt good in low temperature conditions. Over the years, their strength, dexterity, courage, unpretentiousness and endurance only increased, which was very useful when performing guard duty.

In the XVIII–XIX centuries. Caucasian Shepherd dogs were used for police service and trained to search for people. Although the experiment was not successful, the reason was considered to be the viciousness and stubbornness of the breed. Depending on the area where they live, they differ noticeably in appearance.

There are several types of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs, which are then divided into small subgroups:

1. Georgian type (more massive, taller, body more elongated. Has long hair, uniform zone-gray color).
2. Armenian type (smaller, with long, monochromatic coat).
3. Azerbaijani (there are two types: mountain - outwardly reminiscent of Georgian, and steppe - square in format, with long legs, strong bones and dry muscles. The coat is short, with a rare red and dark fawn color).
4. Dagestanian (larger in stature than the Georgian, the body format is more square. It has strong bones and smooth lines of the hind legs. The length of the coat and color are varied).

Photo of Caucasian Shepherd puppy

Cynologists recognize such varieties as Gergeti, Gorban, Kazbek, Akhaltsikhe, Akhaltsikhe, Tushino and other types, which received their names according to their original habitat. There is also a difference between dogs living in steppe and mountainous areas. Among the Georgian type, long-haired individuals predominated, and in the North Caucasus, short-haired ones predominated, since long hair gets packed with snow in winter and thorns in summer.

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In 1931, the first standard of the Caucasian Shepherd breed was created, it was based on the Georgian type of Caucasian, but it also mentioned Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Dagestan types. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Caucasian Shepherd dogs took part in the All-German Exhibition in Nuremberg for the first time. Soon people started talking about them in many countries around the world. But, despite widespread interest in the breed, they practically did not develop.

During the Great Patriotic War, many representatives of the family died, but thanks to the efforts of dog handlers, in particular, professors Bogolyubsky and Ilyina, Mazover and Vaisman, the Caucasian was saved. Special nurseries have been created to breed and restore the breed. As a result of the work, individuals with a certain constitutional type and correct physique appeared.

In 1970 in Paris at the World Dog Show, the Caucasian Shepherd won great success. The best representatives were awarded the title “World Champion”.

In 1971, at the World Exhibition in Budapest, they again won the highest score.

In 1988, the First All-Union Exhibition of Service Dogs of Domestic Breeds was held, in which the Caucasian took part.

In 1990, the Caucasian Wolfhound was registered by the International Canine Association (FCI) as a separate breed.

Today, Caucasian Shepherd dogs have gained popularity not only in Russia and the CIS countries, but also in foreign countries. The interest of European and American dog handlers and amateur dog breeders has noticeably increased in them.

The Caucasian Shepherd is a large-sized dog, of rough build, massive bones, voluminous muscles, above average height. Strong, unpretentious, resilient, sensitive.

1. Format: stretched.
2. Skin: elastic, thick.
3. Head: massive, the cranial part is voluminous and wide. Cheekbones are well developed.
4. Muzzle: voluminous, blunt, gradually tapering towards the nose, its length is slightly shorter than the length of the skull.
5. Forehead: slightly convex, spacious, divided by a longitudinal groove, with noticeable but not prominent brow ridges, smooth transition from forehead to muzzle.
6. Lips: thick, tightly fitting.
7. Nose: black, large, with well-developed nostrils. In white and light fawn coats, a lightened nose is acceptable.
8. Ears: small, set high, hanging on cartilage, cropped short in puppyhood.
9. Eyes: dark, oval, deep-set, slanted. The eyelids are dry and close-fitting.
10. Teeth: regular scissor bite, full set of 42 teeth. Large, white, the upper jaw tightly overlaps the lower jaw. The incisors are located in 1 line.


Caucasian wolfhound in a rare white color

11. Neck: muscular, with a scruff, shorter than the length of the head, a slight dewlap is acceptable.
12. Chest: long, wide, dropped to the elbow line, round in cross-section. The ribs are curved.
13. Belly: slightly tucked. The front of the chest protrudes noticeably in relation to the shoulder - scapular joints.
14. Withers: Muscular, well developed, projecting above the line of the back.
15. Back: strong, wide, straight.
16. Loin: convex, short, wide. The croup is moderately long, rounded, and muscular.
17. Tail: sickle-shaped, set high, drooping when at rest, reaching the hocks.
18. Paws: large, arched, rounded, toes gathered into a ball.
19. Hindquarters: Straight, when viewed from behind, parallel to each other. The thigh and lower leg are not long, the hock joints are wide and strong. The hocks are massive.
20. Forelegs: straight in front, set wide and parallel. The shoulder blades and humerus are long. The forearms are rounded in cross-section, straight, moderately long, and muscular. The pasterns are massive and short. The length of the forelimbs to the elbow is slightly greater than or equal to half the height of the dog at the withers. Leg length index – 50.
21. Movements: leisurely, free. The characteristic gait is a short trot, which, when the pace of movement accelerates, turns into a heavy but swift gallop. The joints of the limbs are freely extended.
22. Sexual type: well defined - males are more massive, larger with a large head and a pronounced mane. Bitches are more graceful and lighter. Gender is easily determined. Small males are rejected and not allowed for breeding.
23. Coat of the Caucasian Shepherd: straight, rough bristles with thick undercoat. On the head and the front sides of the legs, the hair is shorter and tighter.

There are 2 types of fur of the Caucasian wolfhound:

• Long-haired - with long outer and guard hair (10 - 12 cm). The long coat forms a “mane” on the neck, “feathers” and “pants” on the hind legs (30cm). The tail is fluffy and thick.
• Short-haired – thick short hair (6 – 7 cm). There is no “mane”, “dewlap”, or “feathers” on the tail.

The territories around the Caucasus ridge, the steppes in the south of Russia - these are the places that are the sources of distribution of Caucasian shepherd dogs or, as they are called differently, North Caucasian wolfhounds. This breed has come a long way from the dogs that lived in the Caucasus in ancient times, through natural selection and the traditions of various Caucasian peoples.

Of the many options for the history of the origin of the Caucasian Shepherd breed, researchers identify two main versions. According to the first option, the ancestors of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are the ancient Tibetan Great Danes, which were talked about back in 1121 BC.

Other scientists are inclined to consider the kingdom of Van or the state of Urartu to be the birthplace of this breed. In ancient times, it was located in the territory now occupied by Armenia, Azerbaijan, eastern Turkey and northwestern Iran.

To prove the confirmation of the second version, scientists point to ancient images of animals that served as guards of the walls of the state of Urartu. Their appearance is similar to that of modern Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. Since this state existed from the eighth to the sixth centuries BC, researchers are inclined to assume that the ancestors of the Caucasian Shepherd were already there then.

Mentions of dogs of this breed as animals performing guard and security service in the ranks of the Turkish army were preserved in Turkish military records of 1765. When conquering the Caucasus, the Russian command immediately enlisted Caucasian Shepherd Dogs into its troops for security and guard duty.

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In general, Caucasian Shepherd dogs have long been used as guards both in war and in peacetime. They protected the herds and property of their owners from predators and raiders.

In the twentieth century, at the end of the twenties, USSR breeders began work on producing a breeding line of Caucasian Shepherd dogs. As a result, they were able to consolidate in dogs of this breed such characteristic features as courage, confidence, power, well-developed vision and hearing, and high-quality coat that can withstand any weather conditions.

First month

Over the next two weeks, the shepherd pups begin to comprehend the world around them with the help of sight and hearing, and also gradually walk. By the thirtieth day of life, the height at the withers in boys of this breed is at least 24, and in girls it should be at least 23 cm. The weight of one-month-old puppies is 2500–6800 grams, while girls weigh less than their littermates.

3rd month

Outwardly, at this age, small shepherd dogs become similar to bear cubs. They are still clumsy, but their legs have noticeably elongated, and their heads and chest have become more voluminous.

At three months of age, daily weight gain is 200-400 grams.

By the third month of life, the puppy weighs 18-32 kg, and the height at the withers is 45-49 cm in boys and 43-46 cm in girls. From the age of three months, the shepherd dog begins to develop conditioned reflexes, and this is the time that is considered the most suitable to begin systematic training of the pet.

Nutrition of the Caucasian Shepherd after a year

The Caucasian Shepherd develops until the 2-year mark, so his diet must accommodate his continued growth. In order for a dog to gain weight correctly, protein is the basis of nutrition - meat, fish, offal and dairy products, which provide everything necessary for building bones and muscle mass. They also still cook porridge from cereals with the addition of vegetables - cabbage, beets, zucchini, carrots. In the evenings, you can give vegetable salads with a small amount of vegetable oil and sour cream. Grown-up Caucasians enjoy eating fruits, apples, and various types of berries are good to add to cottage cheese.

You can add boiled vegetables to the porridge

A one-year-old puppy is often switched to dry food or given it in combination with natural food. In pet stores you can find many high-quality premium foods - Royal Canin, Proplan, Acana, Bozita, Brit, Bosch and others. The amount of dry food is prescribed individually depending on the dog’s type of nutrition (mixed or only ready-made food), its weight and age. In most cases, the food package contains an approximate table for calculating the daily portion, but it is better to consult with your veterinarian first.

Before giving dry food to your pet, you should consult your veterinarian.

From 1 year to 3 years

After one and a half years, the dog’s growth stops, but body weight can continue to increase until the age of three, until the animal reaches the full flowering of its physical development.

According to the breed standard, the average weight of an adult representative of this breed should be from 45 to 50 kg.

But in some very large dogs it can be 90 kg or more.

General form

Exterior

The Caucasian Shepherd is a fairly large dog; its height is considered above average.
The animal has a massive skeleton and well-developed muscles. There should be proportionality and harmony in the structure of the dog’s body: the length of the body is fifteen percent greater than its height. Ideally, the Caucasian Shepherd is hardy, strong and powerful, without clumsiness - its movements should be free, confident and easy. However, dogs of this breed have five conformation types:

• tribal;
• exhibition;
• worker;
• depleted;
• fatty.

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog of the breeding type looks well-fed, with well-developed muscles. Such dogs are fed properly balanced food, which contributes to the formation of a well-groomed appearance and excellent health.

The show type of this breed differs from the first only in the highest quality of care, including both adequate nutrition and timely grooming.

The working type of Caucasian Shepherd Dog resembles the breeding one, however, such animals are not so well-fed - the layer of subcutaneous fat is much smaller. Also, such animals may have a thicker undercoat if they were kept in cold conditions.

Protruding ribs and joints, lack of subcutaneous fat, muscle atrophy, dull and brittle hair - this is exactly what an emaciated Caucasian Shepherd looks like.

A fatty dog, on the contrary, has huge excess fat, which leads to lethargy and fatigue.

The last two types of appearance of the Caucasian Shepherd are obvious violations in its development. This can be caused by both congenital or acquired diseases, as well as poor conditions of care and maintenance.

In describing the exterior of the Caucasian Shepherd, it should also be mentioned that dogs of this breed can have one of three skull shapes:

• heavy (voluminous, with well-developed, visually visible muscles);
• light (narrow, with underdeveloped muscles);
• normal (proportional).

The ideal Caucasian Shepherd skull should be massive. Most of it is made up of the wide frontal region. The width of the dog's head is equal to the sum of the distance from the inconspicuous bump on the back of the head to the stop (the transition from the muzzle to the forehead) and the length from the stop to the nose.

The dog's voluminous, blunt muzzle should be a third of the length of the head (the distance from the highest point of the hillock on the back of the head to the nose). In an excited state, the dog may have slightly noticeable wrinkles in the frontal area. Also, the Caucasian Shepherd should have strong and wide jaws. Moreover, the lower jaw is quite heavy.

Varieties

Depending on their habitat, Caucasian Shepherds can be divided into several species, the main ones being:

• Georgian - massive long-haired dogs with a slightly elongated body and great height;
• Armenian – long-haired dogs of medium height;
• Azerbaijani: mountain subspecies - similar to the Georgian species;
• steppe subspecies - dogs with a square body structure and lean muscles;

As in the case of the Azerbaijani species, all types of Caucasian Shepherd dogs can be divided into two subspecies:

• mountain - long-legged dogs with a light, square body structure;
• steppe - short-haired dogs of a strong and dry build with an elongated skull.

What to do if it lags behind the norm?

Owners of Caucasian Shepherds should understand that each puppy is an individual and that all babies grow differently. If the shepherd dog continues to grow and develop, then there is a high probability that he will soon gain the missing weight. When we are talking about an adult dog or the gap from the norm exceeds 10% of the recommended weight, it is necessary to find out why this is happening.

The most common causes of weight loss:

1. Heredity. If the puppy's parents are not large in size, then it is naive to expect that he will outgrow them. Also, the fact that the puppy is slowly gaining weight may be due to hereditary reasons. To make sure this is the reason, contact the breeder and ask how quickly your pet's mother grew and gained weight when she was the same age.
2. Incorrect cultivation. It happens that a recently purchased puppy weighs less than normal. In this case, the cause of weight loss is often due to improper rearing in the breeder’s home. To solve this problem, it is best to consult a veterinary clinic, where experts will tell you how to feed the puppy correctly so that it quickly gains the missing weight.
3. Illness or infestation by internal parasites. During illness, dogs often lose weight. If your pet has recently been ill with something serious, he may lose a lot of weight. In this case, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian to help you choose a more nutritious food for your pet or develop a natural feeding diet, and, if necessary, recommend antihelminthic medications.
4. Insufficient physical activity. If a growing dog moves little, it cannot grow and develop properly, which can also cause weight loss. To solve this problem, it will be enough to devote more time to physical training of your pet.

Artificial methods of replenishing weight loss, in particular, adding supplements to the dog’s diet to increase muscle mass or strength training, such as running in a harness with weights, are completely unacceptable. Not only do they not contribute to the harmonious development of the pet, but they can also cause serious health problems.

Text of the book “Caucasian Shepherd Dog”

Caring for a pregnant dog

After pregnancy, the dog needs careful care. Particular attention should be paid to the animal's diet. For the normal course of pregnancy and embryo development, it is necessary to provide the bitch with a complete, balanced diet, and provide high-quality, easily digestible food with a high content of protein, minerals and vitamins.

It is recommended to add bone meal, fish oil, fresh vegetables and fruits, and vitamin preparations to the food of a pregnant dog.

The amount of food is increased, the dog is given additional meat and dairy products. Lack of food, as well as overfeeding, negatively affects the course of pregnancy. The animal should be fed 3 times a day.

Throughout pregnancy, it is necessary to walk the dog at least 2 hours a day. This is necessary to supply the animal’s body with oxygen, improve metabolism, and strengthen muscles.

In the 2nd half of pregnancy, it is recommended to reduce physical activity and not allow the dog to make sudden movements. During this period, the animal cannot be used for work or trained.

The first signs of the onset of labor

The first signs of labor may vary greatly from one bitch to another. In most cases, the dog's behavior changes greatly.

If this is the bitch's first birth, she will be very restless. Most primiparous bitches are worried before giving birth, running around the room and not finding a place for themselves.

The day before giving birth, bitches begin to whine pitifully, scratch the bedding, or even tear it. Many dogs refuse food 1-2 days before giving birth.

However, many bitches whelp very easily and quickly, without worry at all.

A pregnant Caucasian Shepherd dog requires a lot of attention and tenderness from its owner; it itself becomes more affectionate at this time.

In this case, the first signs of the approaching birth are not so noticeable, and the owner needs to watch the dog very carefully so as not to miss them.

Many experienced dog breeders recommend showing the bitch to a veterinarian a few days before giving birth (about 3 days). This should definitely be done if the bitch is whelping for the first time.

In bitches who are not whelping for the first time, milk, as a rule, appears before birth, 4–5 days.

If this is the bitch's first birth, milk does not appear before birth.

Primiparous bitches still have strong abdominal muscles, and the sacro-isciatic and sacroiliac ligaments are not so stretched, so the lowering of the abdomen and sagging of the topline are not as noticeable as in bitches who have already had several litters.

When there are several hours left before the onset of labor, the bitch lies in a certain position - with her forelimbs stretched out and her head lowered between them.

The onset of labor and birth

It is recommended to prepare some things necessary for childbirth in advance:

● several replaceable bedding;

● sterile gauze wipes;

● hot water;

● scissors;

● boiled linen threads.

It is also necessary to trim the hair around the dog's nipples and genitals.

2–3 days before the onset of labor, the bitch releases colostrum from her nipples, and her body temperature drops by 1–2 °C. To more accurately determine the due date, it is recommended to regularly measure the animal’s body temperature in the last days of pregnancy. The dog’s temperature at this time drops to 37 °C.

The start time of contractions can be determined visually. Usually, a few hours before this time, the loop becomes soft, the vagina swells, and a sticky thick discharge is visible.

The puppy is attached to the wall of the uterus through the placenta. The umbilical cord emerges from its center, connecting the placenta and the puppy. Through it, the puppy receives nutrition and oxygenated blood. The umbilical cord contains 2 arteries and 1 vein, through which blood enriched with oxygen and nutrients flows to the puppy and blood deprived of oxygen is drained. The umbilical cord is also an excretory organ; through it the puppy is freed from waste products.

The umbilical cord and placenta are located separately, in one shell, in which the puppy develops and grows.

The shell is a closed two-layer bubble. The outer bubble is usually called the water bubble. The membrane on the inside is called the amnion. The fluid located between the layers of the bladder is amniotic fluid. Thanks to it, the puppy is well protected from various injuries and compression. During childbirth, this fluid is also a good lubricant, as the membrane ruptures and the fluid spills onto the vagina. While the puppy remains in the inner shell, in which it is born.

When there is very little time left before the contractions begin, the bitch becomes especially restless and begins to tremble. This condition can last up to 1 day.

Contractions are divided into 3 stages:

● Stage 1 – dilation of the birth canal;

● Stage 2 – breeding the puppy, contractions are especially noticeable at this time; can last up to 2 hours;

● Stage 3 – removal of the placenta and membranes. This happens 5-15 minutes after the puppy is born. In some cases they come out with a 2nd puppy.

At the 1st stage, the bitch's intra-abdominal pressure increases. The contraction of the uterus is not very noticeable, since contractions at this time are weak and irregular. The uterus, vagina and loop gradually expand due to contractions of the uterine muscles.

The dog does not lie still at this time, constantly spinning and looking around. She loses her appetite, and in some cases the dog vomits.

After contractions become more intense and frequent, the 2nd stage begins, during which, along with contractions of the uterus, contraction of the abdominal muscles begins.

At first, contractions are short, with an interval of 15–30 minutes, then they lengthen, the breaks between them are reduced to 2–5 minutes.

Dilatation of the cervix continues for 3–8 hours. After rupture of the membranes, contractions alternate with pushing (contraction of the abdominal muscles).

When labor enters the 2nd stage, contractions can already be felt if you put your hand on the dog’s stomach. Between contractions, the bitch relaxes, her breathing becomes heavy. She may whine during contractions. Difficulty breathing can indicate the onset of contractions.

Most bitches are pupped lying down, with their backs against the sides of the box. To make it more comfortable for the dog, you can make a paw rest inside the box. Most often, Caucasian Shepherds prefer to whelp while lying on their right side.

The bubble with the puppy presses on the cervix and passes into the birth canal, which gradually expands and becomes softer. Meanwhile, the uterus, cervix and vagina constitute a wide birth canal. Gradually, due to contractions, the bladder with the puppy passes into the vagina. After each muscle contraction, it passes further.

Most often, the largest puppy comes out first, as he is the lowest in the uterus. His birth is the most difficult for a bitch. In some cases, the puppy may appear and disappear from the loop several times. The bubble may burst during the most severe contractions.

Inexperienced owners may confuse water bladder and amniotic sac with a puppy. Some, trying to help the dog, burst the bubble that appears from the loop. Under no circumstances should this be done. Some time after this bubble comes out and bursts, a bubble with a puppy will appear. At this time, contractions become even stronger and more painful.

The duration of the hatching process depends on the number of puppies in the litter and is usually 10–24 hours. The cubs appear at different intervals. In case of prolonged labor, it is recommended to periodically take the dog for a walk to give it the opportunity to empty its bladder and intestines. In addition, physical activity stimulates labor.

The dog bites the umbilical cord, chews and eats the membranes, licks the puppies and pushes them towards the nipples. Experts consider it unacceptable to let an animal eat all the afterbirth, as this can cause digestive upset.

The placenta usually comes out immediately after the puppy is born, sometimes 2-3 hours after the end of labor. If the process of releasing the placenta is delayed, the dog must be given an injection of drugs that cause uterine contractions (only after consultation with a veterinarian). Delay of placenta can lead to the development of inflammatory processes.

After the puppies are born, the bitch nudges them with her nose and turns them over. Thanks to this, the vital activity of puppies is stimulated, as well as their blood circulation and breathing.

The dog and puppies must be monitored throughout the entire birth. Some bitches, especially those who are whelping for the first time, can be very rough with their puppies. They pull the umbilical cord with their teeth even after they bite it. Experienced dog breeders do not recommend allowing your dog to do this, as an umbilical hernia may subsequently form.

The first puppies to appear immediately try to get to their mother's nipples.

This stimulates uterine contractions and labor progresses faster.

Umbilical cord separation

In some cases, the bitch does not bite the umbilical cord on her own. In this case, the owner needs to break it himself.

There is an area on the umbilical cord where the tissue is slightly weakened; usually it ruptures on its own in this place. Ideally, the umbilical cord should be long and strong enough, and the placenta should emerge immediately after or with the puppy.

The umbilical cord can only be cut after the bitch has freed the puppy from various membranes and rid it of mucus. You should not allow your puppy to crawl around with the umbilical cord uncut. It is also important not to allow the umbilical cord to become taut during labor.

There are times when the umbilical cord is too short and the puppy can only get out of the loop a short distance. It can be left with the umbilical cord unbroken for a while. It is clear that in this situation the bitch cannot handle the puppy and her owner will have to do this.

If the umbilical cord is short and the puppy was born in the placenta, the bitch should not be allowed to chew it. By doing this, she can harm the puppy by biting him too.

Once the umbilical cord is separated, you must wait until all the blood has come out (towards the puppy). This will be the last internal nutrition he will receive from his mother.

If you cut the umbilical cord carelessly, it will cause slight bleeding, which may weaken your puppy a little.

If, some time after the birth of the puppy, the placenta continues to remain in the bitch’s birth canal, it must be clamped with medical surgical forceps near the loop. This ensures that if the umbilical cord ruptures, the placenta will not go back into the uterus.

You need to break the umbilical cord as follows: with one hand (thumb and forefinger) you should squeeze the umbilical cord at a distance of 2–3 cm from the puppy, and with the other hand after another 2–3 cm. With the hand that is closer to the puppy, you need to slightly pull the umbilical cord, and it will burst. The other hand must be kept motionless.

In this case, there will be no bleeding, since the blood vessels stretch and automatically narrow. No antiseptic, especially iodine, should be used to treat the wound.

You can cut the umbilical cord slightly and then break it only if it is very strong.

You can make cuts only with sterile scissors, which should be boiled for at least 5 minutes in advance.

If bleeding does occur, the umbilical cord should be compressed for a few minutes or tied with sterile surgical thread.

In the case when the puppy comes out without a shell and is covered in blood or greenish liquid, it is necessary to immediately free his nose and mouth from this. It is necessary to give him the opportunity to breathe on his own as soon as possible.

After giving birth, it is not recommended to disturb the dog or pick up the puppies for 24 hours. If a shepherd has a developed maternal instinct, she is able to independently take care of her offspring.

Caring for a whelping dog

During the postpartum period, the animal must be protected from strong physical exertion. It is recommended to reduce the duration of walks, especially in the cold season, and take preventive measures to prevent possible diseases.

The bedding on which the dog and puppies are located should be changed regularly to prevent it from getting dirty.

The genitals and mammary glands should be washed 2 times a day with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Within 7-14 days after birth, the dog will experience a mucous discharge from the vagina. Normally, they should first be grayish, then colorless. If the discharge acquires an unpleasant odor and a dark green color, you should contact a veterinary clinic.

During the period of feeding puppies, it is necessary to increase the amount of food given to the dog. Her diet must include meat, milk and vitamin supplements.

Mother's milk plays an important role in the development of the puppy's body, as it contains all the nutritional elements it needs.

If a dog does not lactate or refuses to feed its offspring, the owner of the animal must take care of the nutrition of the newborn puppies.

For artificial feeding, you can use cow's milk or infant formula heated to a temperature of 38–39 °C. Puppies are fed from a bottle with a nipple.

Caucasian Shepherd with puppies

Complications during pregnancy and childbirth

Sometimes pregnancy and childbirth in dogs are accompanied by complications caused by metabolic disorders, pathology of internal organs, and improper care of the animal.

False pregnancy can occur after a sexual cycle that is not accompanied by mating, or after mating of dogs in the absence of fertilization. Symptoms of a false pregnancy are similar to the signs of a real one (excited state, enlarged abdomen, appearance of milk). A sick dog should be shown to a veterinarian, who will prescribe sedatives. In addition, milk and dairy products should be excluded from the animal’s diet.

In the early stages of pregnancy, a dog may experience toxicosis. Its main symptoms are depression, general weakness, loss of appetite, and vomiting. It is necessary to make adjustments to the animal's diet.

Swelling is a consequence of improper feeding and insufficient physical activity of a pregnant dog. Swelling usually occurs in the hind legs and around the mammary glands.

If this complication develops, it is recommended to reduce the amount of liquid in the diet, not to overfeed the dog, walk it regularly and massage the area of ​​edema.

Sometimes dogs experience a weakening of labor caused by large or multiple pregnancies and the weakened physical condition of the animal. In this case, due to weak contractions of the muscles of the uterus and abdominal wall, the process of the birth of puppies is delayed.

It is necessary to call a veterinarian, and before he arrives, provide first aid to the dog: give a warm drink, give a light abdominal massage. It is not recommended to use stimulant medications yourself, as this can cause irreparable harm to the animal’s body.

If the fetus is not positioned correctly, it becomes difficult to remove it.

In this case, you can help the dog by gently pulling the puppy by the parts of the body that have already appeared (the head or hind limbs). You must first discuss this situation with your veterinarian.

You should immediately contact a specialist in the following cases:

● absence of signs of labor after the due date;

● contractions and attempts that are not accompanied by fetal delivery;

● fetus getting stuck in the birth canal;

● appearance of stillborn puppies;

● weakening or cessation of labor with fetuses remaining in the uterus;

● retention of the placenta after the birth of all puppies.

Complications during whelping

Sometimes during the whelping of a bitch, many complications can arise.

In some cases it is very difficult to draw a clear line between anomaly and normality. For many bitches, complications arise only after several births, while the first 3-4 litters were generally normal.

Every owner should be aware of possible complications during childbirth and be able to help their dog and puppies.

Most often, novice owners can be divided into 2 categories:

● 1st category. These are inexperienced owners who do not know at all what to do during the birth of a dog. Confused, they cannot do anything to help their dog. This is completely unacceptable. In many cases (especially if the puppy is already visible) it is enough to just help the bitch and puppy a little to avoid many serious consequences;

● 2nd category. Completely opposite to the 1st type of owners. On the contrary, they are know-it-alls who theoretically know everything. As a result, such people, instead of really helping the bitch, do too much unnecessary things. Even in cases where labor proceeds normally, they still interfere with the natural process.

The best helper for his dog and newborn puppies will be the owner who does not fall into any of these categories, but is somewhere between them. Such people have common sense and intervene in childbirth only when it is really necessary.

For example, sometimes when the first puppy is delayed in birth, this can lead to the death of all the remaining puppies. In this case, human intervention is mandatory. If the bitch is not allowed to expend all her strength, then the remaining puppies will be born easily and independently.

Complications during childbirth can be divided into:

● occurring for a reason depending on the bitch;

● occurring for a reason depending on the puppy.

Also among the complications are those that:

● the owner can eliminate it himself;

● more serious and dangerous, which require the help of an experienced veterinarian.
Incorrect position of the puppy

One of the most common causes of birth complications is poor positioning of the puppy during birth.

Usually, in such a situation, the puppy comes out with its neck forward, since its head is turned inward.

This is a very dangerous situation, as the puppy gets out with great difficulty or cannot get out on his own at all.

Also dangerous is the incorrect position of the back or limbs, which can also cause difficulties.

Usually the puppies in the uterus are located back to back to the bitch, so they pass through the birth canal as if in an arc, which does not cause the spine to bend in an unnatural direction. Sometimes, instead of the head, the puppy's tail is shown first. In all these cases, qualified assistance from a specialist is necessary.

In some cases, a complication is caused by the simultaneous passage of 2 puppies through the birth canal of a bitch. Each of them delays the other, and they prevent each other from being born.

In very rare cases, the puppy, instead of moving naturally out of the birth canal, moves backwards into the uterine horn. In this situation, only a caesarean section will help.

Unfortunately, this is usually the only chance to save the bitch and the remaining puppies.
A puppy that has walked the wrong way has very little chance of being saved. Anomalies in the structure of the bitch's pelvis
Another cause of complications during childbirth is an anomaly in the structure of the bitch's pelvis.

Such an anomaly is most often caused by the bitch having previously suffered rickets or some kind of injury. Also, a bitch can have an anomaly from birth. In this case, the incorrect structure of the pelvis is considered to be too narrow a pelvis with a wide head.

Nowadays, rickets in Caucasian Shepherds is a very rare disease. This is due to the fact that veterinarians have developed a large number of different drugs that protect the puppy from rickets.

If the bitch has previously received any injury to the pelvis, hip, etc., its owner should be especially careful during childbirth.
It is best to show the bitch to a veterinarian, after consultation with whom it will be known whether the bitch can give birth to healthy puppies without surgical intervention. Weakened labor
In some cases, labor may be weakened. This most often happens in litters that contain very large puppies. During childbirth, the bitch pushes for a long time to no avail, the uterus becomes exhausted, and as a result the contractions stop.

To alleviate the condition of the bitch in this situation, it will be necessary to seek the help of a veterinarian. Usually the doctor prescribes a special injection, thanks to which the contractions will begin again after 15–20 minutes.

If any complications arise during the birth process, every second becomes expensive. Incorrect behavior of the owner and lack of help for the dog can cause its death.

If the birth canal is not completely dilated, the veterinarian may give 1 more injection. It is not recommended to do this on your own, since such drugs have a very strong effect and in case of overdose cause quite serious complications. After repeated injection, contractions will resume within 5–20 minutes. In this case, puppies usually come out easily and quickly.

In some cases, hormone injections do not have the desired effect. After this, only a caesarean section can help, which can also only be prescribed by a veterinarian.

An experienced veterinarian, after a thorough examination of the bitch, can immediately decide to perform a caesarean section without injections. This is indicated when a discrepancy between the diameter of the birth canal and the size of the puppy is immediately visible.

In rare cases, the activity of the uterus is very weakened, and puppies can only be born after injections for each of them. This often leads to very strong contractions of the uterus, which as a result will quickly become exhausted and after a while the injections will simply stop working.

Strong contractions of the uterus, caused by frequent use of injections, sometimes lead to rupture of the walls of the uterus or its inversion. Such births must be supervised by a veterinarian.

In any case, when giving injections, you should not allow the animal to suffer needlessly for more than 2-3 hours. It is better to perform a caesarean section.

In some cases, weakening of the uterus may be hereditary and associated with a hormonal imbalance. Bitches with this hereditary factor often have disturbances in their estrus cycle. It is better not to use them for breeding work.