MVSc

Canine management practices existing in Central
Kerala were investigated. Mostly the owners of the dogs were
male members of the family. Businessmen were more interested
in dog keeping. Average number of dogs owned per household was
1. 7. Large breeds were preferred to small and medium sized
breeds and among large breeds German Shepherds. Female dogs
were slightly more in number than male dogs in the surveyed
area.
The dogs were mostly kept for watching or guarding
purpose than companionship. Dogs were purchased at less than
two months of age. The quality of the pup was mostly decided
based on the breed and appearance. Active nature and general
appearance formed the basis for puppy selection.
A high proportion of the dog owners kept their dogs in
a kennel, which was located outside the house and constructed
after the arrival of the pup. Only few respondents constructed
the kennel after consulting a veterinarian or scientific books.
Most of the kennels were of cement concrete floor, concrete with

Iron rails wall, concrete roof and had raised platform. Daily
cleaning of the kennel was also practiced.
The dogs were mostly fed with two meals a day, with
specially cooked, homemade, non-vegetarian diet. Mostly rice and
meat were fed for the first time between three and six months of
age. Fully cooked milk, meat, fish, egg, rice and vegetables were
fed to the dogs. Most of the dogs were fed with meat. Only one-
third of the dogs were fed with supplements. About 55 per cent of
the dog owners provided their dogs with bones, for chewing.
About one-third of the male and female dogs were
used for breeding. The dog's age at puberty reported by most of
the dog owners was between eight and 12 months of age. The
signs of heat occurred every six months. Dogs were mated twice
in an estrum with 24 hours interval. One pup or its cost was
charged as stud fee by' one-third of the dog owners. Ownership
was the most important criterion considered while selecting a
stud male for female dogs. Majority of the dogs were sexually
intact.
Except nail trimming, the other health management
practices such as de-worming, vaccination, grooming, bathing,

exercise and ear cleaning were practiced by majority of the dog
owners. Weekly grooming, bathing and ear cleaning were
practiced by majority of the dog owners. Slightly more than one
half of the dogs were de-wormed monthly. The dogs were mostly
immunized against rabies and majority of the dogs were not
regularly immunized with the booster vaccine. About two-third
of the dog owners exercised their dogs by playing with them.
Only eight per cent of the dogs were taken to a veterinarian for a
regular health check-up. Previous history of any disease was
reported by one-fourth of the dog owners. Majority of dog owners
never left their dog alone in the house when all the members
were away.
Only one-third of the dog owners gave basic training
to their dogs. Reward was given to the dogs, which responded to
their commands while training. 'COME' and 'SIT' were the two
most common commands which majority of the dogs were aware
of. Inadequate space was the predominant constraint faced by
dog owners followed by difficulties in training and shedding hairs.
Majority of the dog owners surveyed cared to provide the
optimum needs of their dogs.