Why does my doberman smell

Let us now take a closer look at the subject; looking at potential causes that can cause odor and then some practical and easy ways to keep any smells at bay! This is mostly due to the fact that they naturally have a short coat, that does not grow out nor require shaving.

In fact, the Doberman was initially bred to have a maintenance free coat. It does not shed, is easy to manage, it can be washed easily and it also dries out quickly. Equally, a doberman will naturally produce oils that help to prevent and repel a lot of offending scents and smells. When properly looked after, the coat should shine, lay flat and also be straight in terms of consistency and texture. While dobermans can suffer from coat issues; such as hair loss, acne and dandruff — these are usually caused by an inappropriate diet and with poor hygiene practices.

They are easily prevented with a sufficient nutrient-dense diet, proper bathing and frequent brushing. With this being said, it is important to note that there are different kinds of smells. Dogs, like us people, do naturally have their own smell and scent. While smells can be off-putting and largely offending — i. These are largely natural and will always be somewhat present. While these kind of scents are detected by some people, especially to new owners, they sometimes can be unrecognized or not smelt altogether.

From a biological perspective, every animal will possess their own scent. This is a phenomenon in nature. Its purposeful. These are scents that enable a mother to find their babies, for adults to select a mating partner and for family members to recognize and locate each other. So, all dobermans will smell to some extent. This also means, that not all dobermans smell the same.

In fact, not even two dogs of this same breed will smell exactly the same. Then there is of course the purpose of smelling — its used to help us navigate the landscape and understand our environments. We can inherently detect a good smell from a bad one and this helps us to make the right choices and keep ourselves safe and healthy i. Fish-scented breath may indicate a dental problem in your dog.

Periodontal disease is caused by infection and inflammation of the structures that surround and support the teeth. Periodontal disease is the most common disease seen in dogs and is present in up to 84 percent of dogs over the age of three 1. Periodontal disease should be treated by your veterinarian as soon as possible to stop it from progressing. This disease is best treated with regular professional dental cleanings under anesthesia and daily home dental care.

Dogs with food allergies or food intolerances may burp excessively and have trouble digesting food which can lead to fishy breath.

If your veterinarian suspects that your dog has a food allergy, she may recommend feeding your dog a prescription hypoallergenic diet. Acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux or GERD, may also cause foul smelling breath. Symptoms include regurgitation, drooling, lip licking and gulping air. Antacid medications given as directed by a veterinarian often help to control symptoms. Sitting just inside the anus, dogs have a pair of fluid filled structures called anal glands or anal sacs.

These sacs contain fishy, foul-smelling liquid that ranges from thin and yellowish to thick and grayish in appearance. Dogs naturally express their anal glands when they poop and when they are frightened. In certain dogs, their anal glands may not express normally and this can lead to issues including impaction and rupture.

While it is unknown exactly what causes some dogs to have anal gland issues, those with obesity, chronic diarrhea, constipation, environmental and food allergies all tend to be at an increased risk of anal gland disorders. Symptoms of an anal gland issue include scooting, leakage of anal gland contents, and excessive licking of the area.

A ruptured anal gland will cause an open wound next to the anus. Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. Additional Resources AKC. Clubs Offering: Training Classes. How Well Can Puppies See? How Well Can Puppies Hear? How Well Can Puppies Smell? Want to learn more about your puppy? Sponsored by Purina Pro Plan. Share a few contact details to get your FREE e-book.

Dogs exhibit all sorts of bewildering, funny, and sometimes worrisome, quirky behaviors. For a guide on how to brush a dog see here. The Zoom Groom removes loose hair like a magnet, and it stimulates capillaries and natural oil production for healthy skin and a healthy coat.

It is like giving your dog a massage at the same time. It can be also used in the bath on a wet coat. The shedding blade is my personal favorite de-shedding tool.

It can be held in one-handed or the handle splits in two so you can use two-handed. Also great for dragging excess water off your dog after the bath. It is important to note that with the steel de-shedding tools like this and the Furminator it is best not to do too much in one session as they can be scratchy and may cause brush burn and aggravate the skin. This is not a problem with the Zoom Groom.

The main cause of bad breath in dogs is poor dental hygiene. Other ways to clean your Dobermans teeth are to give them dental treats such as Greenies. I have found these are very effective at cleaning the teeth and help to freshen the breath at the same time.

Alternatively, give your Doberman dental chew toys which will not only help with dental hygiene but keep them occupies too. But make sure you do not use toys which are coarse as they tend to wear down the teeth or hard toys which might lead to breakage of teeth if your dog is an aggressive chewer. Supervise your dog when he is chewing a toy. A further option for fresh breath is to use a dental spray for dogs.

Regularly wash your Dobermans bedding and any blankets. You would be surprised just how smelly these items get. If your bath your dog and they go and lie on their dirty bedding they will smell again in no time.

It is also a good idea to disinfect your Dobermans kennel. Wooden kennels tend to trap odor in the wood. Plastic kennels are easier to clean. How to exercise a Doberman. The best type of toys for Dobermans.

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