Canine Addison's Disease

Did you just get back from the veterinarian with a diagnosis that your dog has Canine Addison's disease? Did you say, "What in the world is that?" Maybe he even explained, but you're still unsure of what this diagnosis means to you and your pet. In this article you will see that, while dangerous, this condition can be treated and your pet can enjoy a long and healthy life.
Canine Addison's disease, also known as canine hypoadrenocorticism, is a condition in which the adrenal gland does not produce sufficient amounts of hormones. This is seen especially in case of dogs. Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids are the two types of hormones deficient with Addison's disease. Glucocorticoids (cortisol) regulates numerous systems in the body and deals with stress. Potassium and sodium are regulated by mineralocorticoids (aldosterone).

Some of the common signs and symptoms of this disease include 
- anorexia or weight loss 
- diarrhea or constipation. 
- more water consumption and urination.
- lack of appetite and lethargy. 
- low blood pressure, slow heart beat. 
- vomiting and muscle weakness. 
- hyperpigmentation. 


Symptoms way worsen during different times, but when left undiagnosed and improperly treated, it causes a severe health crisis. Primary confirmation of the Addison's disease is done by laboratory analysis which includes a complete blood count, serum cortisol concentration and serum chemistry profile. Common hematological findings with the disease includes lymphocytosis and eosinophilia. Addison's disease can be diagnosed by a series of blood tests. Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test will give a definitive diagnosis for the disease. This test measures the levels of cortisol in two blood samples, before and after stimulation.
Electrolyte levels are to be monitored through the course of treatment. Treatment includes replacement of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid steroids. Supplementation of drugs include prednisone or prednisolone (glcocorticoid) and Percorten-V or Florinef (mineralocorticoid). Dogs with this disease are more prone to urinary tract infections which includes small volume urination, blood in the urine is not very common. 
The most concerned complications of Addison's disease include an Addisonian crisis. This may be due to environmental or emotional crisis. During this condition, the dog has to be hospitalized and given high doses of intravenous fluids and glucocorticoids to prevent dehydration and collapse. With the proper management and medication dogs with this disease can have a normal lifespan.

Dog Collar Vs Dog Harness: Which Is Best?

There are a lot of opinions flying around about which is the best method of controlling and training your dog. The dog collar, the dog harness and the halter are just some of the methods debated on. This is not intended to advise against one or the other but to point out a couple of things that should be taken into consideration before deciding.
To begin with, one benefit of the harness over the collar is that it is much harder for a dog to slip out of a harness than it is to slip a collar.
On the subject of walking and training your dog, some people swear by the harness for smaller dogs as they find they have much more control and can even lift the dog off the ground without harming the dogs fragile neck and spine. It should be kept in mind, however, that even though a harness may seem more gentle on a dog as it is not focusing all the stress on the neck, there have been reports of harnesses having a detrimental effect on some dogs, such as widening the chest, bolding the legs, and dislocations on some breeds of dogs, although these reports appear to be in the minority and seem to refer particularly to small dogs that pull. 
Larger dogs, particularly those that tend to pull constantly, can be harder to control with a harness than with a collar, and can end up taking the owner for a walk rather than the other way round, according to some large breed dog handlers. For this reason some long time large breed dog owners prefer to stick with the collar, however, there is the opinion that using a collar on a strong and constant puller can have detrimental effects on the dog's trachea, neck and spine. 
Another alternative is the halter harness. This finds favour with some owners of large pulling dogs, as it controls the head and, just as in leading a horse, controlling the head helps greatly in controlling the whole animal. 
There are other forms of collars, such as the choker, but I feel that you need to be extremely well informed and careful when using one of these. 
Whatever method you choose, your decision should be based on sound advice from professionals who have the welfare of your dog in mind. 
One more thing to bear in mind; whatever conclusion you may arrive at regarding the best way to train and walk your dog, it is hard to argue against using a dog harness when taking your dog in a car. You wear a seat belt to stop you flying through the windscreen in the event of a crash. Your dog will also become a living projectile in the same crash. Doesn't he deserve the same protection you have? 
To sum up: Whether you choose the collar or the harness, it is my opinion that thoughtful, gentle, yet thorough training in the early stages of your dogs life will lead to a happy and well-behaved dog that will not need drastic measures to be taken to control him in later life. 
I personally use a harness because I don't think I would like someone to throw a rope around my neck and yank me here and there.

How to Properly Handle the Feeding of a Pregnant Dog

Our canine friends require a variety of essential nutrients in order to maintain a good health and live a happy life. If you are the owner of a pregnant dog, then proper nutrition and a balanced diet are even more important. You want your dog to get through the pregnancy without any complications along with some healthy and strong puppies. So how do you properly handle feeding a pregnant dog?

A pregnancy in dogs typically lasts for around 63 days or nine weeks. It isn't uncommon for the dog to experience fluctuations in its appetite; the amount of fluctuations is dependent on how far along in the pregnancy she is. During the first two weeks, she will probably experience nausea which will definitely have an impact on her appetite so be aware of that. You'll begin to notice her gaining additional weight and eating more food around the second stage of its pregnancy. Finally, she will refuse to eat altogether a day or two before giving birth. Contact your veterinarian if she doesn't to eat for more than two consecutive days.

One fact to always remember though is that a pregnant dog will know exactly the amount of food she should eat. My advice is to free feed your dog during this period. You want her to get the right amount of calories and nutrition so it is always better to be safe than sorry. Plus, if you don't feed her the correct amount of food, it can negatively affect the puppies as well as your dog.

Try to feed the mother a good quality dog food intended for adult dogs during the initial six weeks of the pregnancy. If your dog is already following a balanced diet and exercise regiment, it is perfectly ok to stick with that then. However, if you have any concerns or questions, talk to your veterinarian about other options. They can recommend a different type of diet if they feel as though your dog has needs which aren't being met by its current diet.

During the final stage of her pregnancy, your dog should begin a different diet. This is because her puppies will grow at a quicker rate inside the womb during these last few weeks. Make sure her new diet contains more calories; try little by little switching to a puppy food, which will have the needed nutrients for the growing puppies. Try to keep her on this high calorie diet until after the puppies are delivered and the lactation period is over. As always, check with your veterinarian to if you need any advice on a favorable puppy food.

Best Dogs for Children

In this fast-paced era where ever-busy parents find it really difficult to spend lot of time with children and entertain them, pets are great companions who can keep your child engaged tirelessly for long hours. Pets teach children about compassion toward other being.

Dogs have been domesticated for centuries together; hence many breeds are quite friendly with humans. However, parents should be careful while choosing the breed depending upon the age of the children. For example, large dog breeds like Mastiff or Great Dane are not suitable if you have infants or very small children at home. Similarly, very small breeds like Shitzu, Pekinese or Chihuahuas may find it difficult to cope up with hyperactive kids.

Some of the recommended dog breeds are as follows:

• Collies are suitable for almost all age groups. They are friendly and can be groomed easily.
• Golden retrievers are very gentle with children and are tolerant to all their naughty antics.
• Beagles are one of the most social breeds but they do not like to be disturbed when they have their food.
• Poodles are loving, loyal and trustworthy breeds as long as they are not mishandled.
• Newfoundland breed is suitable for children regardless of their age. These dogs are tolerant and protective about their owners.
• St. Bernard is advisable for older children due to its large size. However, they are gentle and extremely protective if well trained.
• Basset Hounds are gentle dogs who get along really well with children who know how to handle them well.

Yorkshire Terrier Puppies Health

Yorkshire Terrier is a favourite dog of many people because it is an apartment dog. Some dogs do not even go out for a walk and their owners teach them to use a box. To keep your dog healthy you can play fetch games with it.

Yorkie puppies like attracting attention because they are sociable dogs. They can get irritated when playing with children because they are afraid to be hurt. Due to the fact that Yorkie puppies are of a small size, they get injuries often. Make sure that you do not treat this small dog like a toy, do not squeeze and poke it.

So, if you decided to buy this dog, you should take care of it in a proper way. There are some important tips to be considered if you want that your puppy grows healthy. First of all, bear in mind, that a healthy puppy is a free puppy.

These small dogs have some health issues that fall into three groups. They are as the following: the first one is teeth problem, the second is problem with skin, the third one is digestive problem and the fourth is problem with their fragile bones. Make sure that your dog eats enough mineral supplements and vitamins. This is very important for them to stay healthy.

Teeth problem is a common problem of these dogs. Take into account that Yorkie puppies often have tooth decay. You can solve this problem if you pay attention to what your dog eats. Do not give it soft foods, because soft foods can cause infection diseases leading also to teeth decay. You can buy good hard foods. To avoid problems with teeth, you should brush them several times per week.

Vitamins A, D and Calcium are also vital for your Yorkie puppy. Vitamin A helps in development and strengthening of the immune system. Also, make sure that your dog consumes beta carotene. Vitamin D is useful for making teeth and bones of your puppy stronger.

And finally, Yorkshire puppies are known for having digestive problems. These dogs have a delicate digestive system. All these health problems can be avoided if you watch what food you give your puppy.

Is a Border Collie Right for Your Family?

The Border Collie is a herding dog that has only been documented since the early 1800's. Originally, only classified as a sheep dog, in 1915, the Border Collie name was set in stone and breeding began in earnest. What separates the Border from other herding breeds is their stare. They have a hypnotic stare that seems to make the sheep go where the dog wants them to go and spooks them into action. They set their stance and stare at the sheep and identify what needs to be done. When they are on the move, they are fast and agile and have a lot of stamina. These dogs are fine tuned herding machines. With a few commands the shepherd can have his flock of sheep out of the pasture and into the pen in a very short period of time.

A few notable Collie traits are that of craving attention, high intelligence, high energy and a love of taking care of its flock. As a member of the herding breeds, they can be a bit verbose and nippy as they shuffle there little sheep around. Therefore, they are not recommended for really little children. Older kids that can command attention and work with the trained commands are great. The Border is a dog that will watch over their family members. They are good at recognizing possible threats and raising an alarm.

Border Collie's have to be trained. They can wreak havoc on the household if left unchecked. They need an outlet for all of their intelligence and energy and they need to understand what is and isn't appropriate in regards to those outlets. Luckily, they are easy to train and eager to please. Once the basic commands like sit, stay, come and no have been mastered, more complex commands can be taught. Border Collie's can perform very complex tasks. They respond to hand signals as well as verbal cues and these can be combined to create some really unique tricks.

As a house dog, the Border Collie needs to be exercised daily. Having a fenced in yard makes things easier. You can throw the ball, Frisbee, or any other toy and they will get it in a flash. You can also set up an agility course in the backyard and work on training them to your and your Collie's hearts content. The Border is a dog that excels at agility training. Ducking, weaving, jumping and following a course at their masters command makes them jump for joy. Agility training not only exercises the dog, but it creates an enduring bond with your Border Collie.

Overall the Border Collie can tolerate many conditions, from hot to cold, from apartment to home to farm (so long as they get plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation). They are relatively healthy. They do need to be brushed two or three times per week. They are a medium sized dog averaging 40 pounds. They have a life span of 10 to 14 years. So, now that you know more about the Collie, is it the right dog for you?

Tips for Buying Name Tags for Your Dog

Whether you have an outside or inside dog, you want to do everything possible to ensure his comfort and safety. No doubt you've taken care of home measures, like putting toxic foods and other items out of reach, and allowing for easy entrance and exit from the home when nature calls. Your first instinct, too, is likely to have an identification tag engraved in the event your dog should get loose. It's natural to want to give an easy way for somebody to contact you in this case, but you should strongly consider what goes on that tag.

Is it wise, for example, to have your dog's name on the tag? You might think this is good in the event your dog is found - whoever finds your pet may strike up a rapport and make it easier to hold onto your pet until you arrive. On the other hand, if somebody with a darker purpose is able to pick up on your dog's name, your pet may easily be led astray. You may not wish to believe dogs can be stolen, but it is possible. Police often advise parents not to give their children clothing with their name on it because it gives kidnappers an advantage. The same goes for your pets.

On your dog's tag, the main elements should be your last name and phone number. If there's room, you can add the word "reward" to indicate you are willing to offer one for your dog's safe return. It's never a good idea to include an address on the tag, but if you are more accessible via e-mail you can use that.

When it comes to your dog's safety if it somehow ends up loose, a dog tag with only the pertinent information needed for its return can see that you are reunited with your four-footed friend.

Miniature Dachshund Puppies - Complete Guide to Mini Dachshund Puppies

Miniature Dachshund Puppies are adorable and fun little dogs to love and own. It's hard to own just one of these cute little guys. Miniature Dachshund Puppies are not AKC recognized like their standard sized friends. They usually end up weighing between 8-12 pounds, so if you're looking for small dogs that like to have fun, Miniature Dachshund Puppies just might be the perfect dogs for you!

Mini Dachshunds usually grow to 5-10 inches in height and can come in a variety of colors and coats. Miniature Dachshund Puppies can have coats that are Smooth, Long Hair, or Wire. The Smooth coat is sleek and short, the Wire-Haired coat is a double coat (the outer coat is short and hard and the under coat is soft and fine), and the Long-Haired coat is elegant, usually shiny, slightly wavy, and is longer on the neck, chest, underside of the body, and behind the legs. Their coats can have a color consisting of brindle, sable, or dapple, bi-color of black, chocolate, blue, or fawn, and solid of red and cream. Miniature Dachshund Puppies were originally bred to hunt hare, while their bigger standard sized friends were bred to hunt badgers. These Terrier puppies were originated in Germany. Mini Dachshunds are very popular pets and are even occasionally still used for hunting.

Mini Dachshund Character:

Miniature Dachshund Puppies, although small, are a robust and muscular breed. They are most well known for their short legs and long bodies. These cute little puppies are very adventurous, curious, bold, and possess an alert and intelligent expression.

Dachshund Temperament:

Mini Dachshunds are known for being devoted, affectionate, and loving. It is important to keep in mind that when they begin to mature they can become snappish when teased. You should also be careful of their small size, so they seem to do best in a home with older children. Miniature Dachshund Puppies can sometimes grow to be aggressive or jealous of other pets and can be wary of strangers, so just keep this in mind. They are great at alerting their family to visitors or out of the ordinary occurrences.

Wiener Dog Care:

It's good to know that a Miniature Dachshund Puppy is relatively easy to care for. If you own a Smooth or Wire-Haired coat puppy, they require weekly brushing to remove loose and dead hair. Wire-Haired puppies also need to be professionally trimmed twice a year. If you own a Long-Haired puppy, be sure to remember that they require daily brushing to prevent matting and tangling. They do not tend to smell like other dogs do, requiring baths when necessary. Some of the health issues that Mini Dachshunds can encounter in their lives are obesity, hip dysplasia, spinal problems, epilepsy, bloat, and eye disease. So, just be sure to look out for these health issues and try to prevent them and care for them.

Mini Dachshund Training:

Dachshunds tend to be a bit stubborn and willful, which can make training a little bit more challenging. They have a tendency to like to do things their way. They are known to be difficult to housebreak, so housebreaking combined with crate training is recommended. Be sure to socialize your Miniature Dachshund puppies early, while knowing that obedience is a must. Keep in mind that they will not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. In saying that, training your mini dachshund puppies must be done with firmness, fairness, patience, and consistency. Be a calm and assertive pack leader to your dachshund puppies.

Miniature Dachshund Activity:

Mini Dachshunds will do great in city or country living. Although they do not need a ton of exercise, be sure that the exercise you provide them is sufficient to prevent boredom and obesity. Be sure to keep them on a leash when out for walks, as they by nature love to chase!

Overall, Miniature Dachshund Puppies are a wonderful dog to own. They are fun-loving, loyal, full of energy, and can be great alert dogs. As with a lot of breeds, Miniature Dachshund Puppies need plenty of love, training, stability, and consistency. They do love to please their owners, so working with them will be to your benefit. Miniature Dachshund Puppies have been very popular puppies to own and probably will be for a long time. Who could resist such a cute and loveable puppy! Miniature Dachshund Puppies might just be the perfect puppy for you and can be a great addition to your pack.

Cats and the Disease Called Heartworm

What is this condition called heartworm? Heartworm is a disease that is very common yet potentially dangerous and fatal for most domestic animals, more so house cats. This disease originates from infected mosquitoes, which in turn leaves larval infections or parasites that bury themselves deeper and deeper into the different layers of the skin of their hosts, particularly house cats which may have more sensitive skin. The name heartworm is derived from the activity of said parasites within the host body wherein after making its way under the layers of skin. They also find their way through the blood stream until it ultimately reaches the heart of the host. Thereafter, it will sit pretty to grow and develop into a community of parasites that will then have enough capacity to harm the host and pose a condition so fatal as to ensure your cat's untimely demise. This is no exaggeration. Cat owners, do we finally have your attention?

Perhaps you may have thought that we were merely exaggerating and blowing up this whole issue on heartworm out of proportion because this condition is better known for pet dogs, and even species that belong to the canine family. However, this condition has never been exclusive to canines. After all, it is said that illness knows no definite target. But fortunately for us cat owners and enthusiasts, heartworm indeed has less grave effects in cats and the parasites are a lot less likely to complete the cycle and reach the heart of the infected host. Hence because of this difference in nature of cats, the only real damage these parasites cause is a side effect on the lungs instead of the heart. But at least with cats, the fewer worms and parasites survive the journey within their body. However, this is not to say that we are completely downplaying the significance more so the effects of heartworm on your pet cats. In fact, it is quite the opposite. We seek to caution all cat owners as this is a very important concern more so if you are living in areas that are seemingly saturated with mosquitoes. In this case, the best advice that we would be able to give is to bring your beloved feline to your trusted vet and have it checked for any possible signs of heartworm. Furthermore, you can ask your vet about preventive medicines or methods that would ensure your cat a worm-free heart.

Another advice would be to inquire with your vet about generic alternatives of these preventive heartworm medicines because you do not really need to buy the ones that are branded as these would only bring you nothing more than a greater dent on your budget. While research shows that there is currently no known or concrete product or medicine in the United States for treating feline heartworm infection, there are still ways of ensuring that your cat is healthy enough not to contract this lethal condition. All in all, it is our firm belief that the best mode of prevention for any illness is to keep you well informed. More so with heartworm, well aware is half there.

Golden Retriever Puppy Biting

We all know how cute puppies are, especially these ones. However, we are all guilty of mistaking them biting us as cuteness. Many owners don't realise that this so called 'harmless behaviour' can lead to aggressive and dominant behaviour in adulthood. You must therefore, ensure that you get rid of your puppy biting issue immediately.

Most Golden Retriever puppies learn to stop biting very early on as their brothers and sisters will bite them back. This usually happens around about 8 weeks old. If the biting doesn't stop after this point then it can become very troublesome to stop them biting...

Golden Retriever Puppy Biting Problems: Young and Naive

It is imperative that you act quickly and decisively as soon as you notice your Golden Retriever puppy biting problem If you have just got your pup and it is younger than 8 weeks old then at once is the time to act.

To begin, please don't hit your puppy when it bites you. This can sometimes be a major reason why they develop aggression problems in later life.

The best way to stop your Golden Retriever puppy biting is to address the cause issue. To stop your Golden Retriever puppy biting use the 'stick and carrot' method. The basic model of this is to reinforce and reward good behaviour and discourage bad behaviour. This doesn't insinuate punishing them!

Avoid any form of physical games with your puppy as this will encourage aggressive behaviour.The main aim is to be consistent in your actions. Please don't send mixed signals to your puppy such as encouraging rough games one week and not the next. This is because it can confuse them, and can lead to aggression in later life.

Golden Retriever Puppy Biting Problems: Education

Another great way to stop your Golden Retriever puppy biting is to begin some form of obedience training. The obedience classes are great because the trainers are experts at handling biting problems

By also enrolling on socialization classes your dog will become much more socialized. This also helps to decrease violence and worry problems.

Redirecting any biting behaviour is vitally important when trying to discourage biting.If you give them a chew toy instead of your finger then they will associate the chew toy with biting, not your finger.

You can teach your dog that biting is unacceptable by simply displaying pain whenever you are bit. This shows that biting is painful, and instantly discourages it.

By far the best time to train your dog that biting is unacceptable is when they are young. You can eliminate the biting problem within a few months if you start it early enough. This will cause much less stress in later life as it can grow to be much more difficult, although not impossible as the dog gets grown-up and develops habits.

Make the Outdoor Stay of Your Dogs a Comfortable One With Wood Dog Houses

Dogs are pretty amazing and lovable pets. You can hug them, cuddle them and even play with them. However, when they are too many, you would definitely have to assign the others in the outdoors. Your beloved pets may be cute and adorable but you can't negate the fact that they can leave quite a mess. Their fur could be everywhere from your sofas to your clothes. And, the funny thing is that some of them can drool all over the place and even chew up your furniture or shoes.

When it becomes necessary to station your dogs in the outer premises of your home, then make their outdoor stay a comfortable one with the presence of wood dog houses. Offering safe shelters for your canine pals is entirely a must. There are certain dog breeds that couldn't withstand the extreme heat or cold conditions that present in the open. By giving them a home of their own, they will have a place they can seek some shade away from the sun or crawl into to keep dry when it rains.

Wood dog houses are great for your pets for they have amazing features. They are often made from cedar wood, a very resilient and tough wood material. Cedar possesses high natural oil content which makes it a fantastic insulating material.

It can trap some heat during winter at the same time reflect some of the heat during summer. Because of its natural oils, it is not easily attacked by termites and other pesky pests.

Another remarkable thing about these wooden-made houses for dogs is that they are available in wide range of designs. You will surely be delighted in seeing your furry friends sprawling and resting in their little villa, cabin, country-club and lodge-style shelters. Some designs can even come in duplexes while others can feature very charming front porches.

Giving A Puppy As A Gift May Not Be A Good Idea

If you are thinking about giving someone a puppy as a gift, consider these important issues. Remember that a puppy needs to be constantly cared for and trained. The first year the puppy will grow quickly but will not settle down and make a good house companion until it is about two or three years old, depending on the breed it could be longer. Before you give someone a puppy as a gift you should do some research.

Being a pet owner is a big responsibility and your friend might talk about it but does not really want to commit. If you are buying a puppy for a friend, make sure they really want it. Any type of pet requires time and commitment and it should be wanted and loved.

If you are a parent buying a dog for your child, it might be hard to say no but, better in the long run. I am sure the kids will be insisting that they will take care of him but I can guarantee it will be you that does the caring. If you are not filling the bowls with food and water you will be buying it. Your new puppy will need to go to the veterinarian at least once a year and visit the groomer. When the weather is cold or the children are too tired who will be walking the dog for his daily exercise, you.

If your children are very young it could be quite a chore to teach them how to care for your new puppy. Because of their excitement and unpredictability a young child can make a puppy or any dog nervous and fearful. If this is the case your own child or one of their friends could be bitten. Children love animals but do not know how to treat them without being taught. You will form the major part of your dog's personality by the way you raise and care for him.

Adopting a dog from your local pet shelter has advantages. The handlers at the shelters can tell you a little about the dog's disposition when it comes to general behavior and how it gets along with other animals and children. The shelter will usually make sure the dog is up to date with any shots, is in good health and may even spay or neuter them.

When you buy a puppy from a breeder or pet store you can never be quite sure about what you are getting. While designer dogs are all the rage they often have health problems common to their breed. The more purebred the dog the more likely they will succumb to these health issues.

Anytime you consider buying a puppy you should do some research first. Find the breed that best suits your wants and needs before you buy. If your plan is to give someone a puppy as a gift, consider paying the expense to have the dog spayed or neutered to add the value of responsibility to your gift.

Nylon Dog Bones Warning !

Should you use a nylon dog bone to help satisfy your dogs chew cravings? Many people do and get great results. I use them myself to help relieve my dog Zac's boredom or his need to chew on something like my wife's antique end tables! I'm not trying to scare you with this article, but there are some painful and expensive dog dental health concerns you should consider when giving your dog this type of bone.


Nylon bones are dangerous to dogs who are strong chewers. They're made of super hard nylon materials. When your dog chews on this type of bone for extended periods of time, he runs the risk of a slab fracture in his large molars at the back of his mouth. These teeth are the grinders and they can deliver a power that is unbelievable. When you allow your dog uncontrolled access to these hard chew bones, you put those teeth at risk. If this thin, longitudinal stress fracture occurs in a tooth,it can expose the pulp through the thin crack. This can be very painful and you also run the risk of infection and loss of the tooth.

Most nylon dog bones come in different degrees of durability. You'll often see a rating on the package. The industrial strength bone is usually labeled "For Powerful Chewers". This nylon bone is as hard as a slab of granite. The packaging often calls it indestructible, which is really stretching the truth. I've seen Zac dismantle this type of bone in two months or less. Zac is a miniature schnauzer. Imagine what a pit bull could do. The next level of durability is for the "Medium Chewers. Unless your dog is not a hard core chewer, he'll probably destroy the medium strength in a month or less.

I'm not suggesting that you quit using a nylon dog bone. They do serve a couple of great functions for a dog that likes to chew. The help battle boredom, separation anxiety and, to a certain degree, help fight plaque build-up. However,I do suggest a "medium chewers" bone and controlled chew time, as opposed to allowing your dog to chew all day long.

Often, a good time for chewing on their bone would be after mealtime. I don't "free feed" Zac, or he would look like a baby blimp. He gets a controlled portion twice a day. After he's inhaled his meal, he looks around as if to say "Okay, where's the rest?" I give him his chew bone after a meal and it seems to satisfy his need to keep chewing on something.When I'm going to be gone for an hour or two, I'll leave his chew bone out. The point here is structured chew time, rather than just letting him have his bone whenever he wants, all day long.

You might not like the extra expense of buying a bone labeled for "medium chewers". If your dog is a "powerful chewer", he'll go through this bone much faster. However, the chances of a tooth stress fracture are diminished considerably. Yes, you will have to invest in a nylon dog bone more often, but it's a lot cheaper than a dental job. The extra few bucks you'll pay to buy bones more often is well worth it.

One final note. Don't let your dog chew his bone down to half it's original size. Those nylon bits have to go somewhere. They could collect in the intestine and cause an impaction. When he's roughed up the ends of his bone and chewed them down somewhat, pitch it out and get a new one. It's penny wise and pound foolish to keep that bone, so why take the risk?