Page 19 - Chow Life - Winter 2025

8.Irish Water Spaniels are one of the oldest spaniel they knew we needed to protect the cushions of
breeds, that are excellent retrievers who need our feet which in turn protect our knees, shoulders
webbed feet to be strong swimmers. and other joints. Dogs do not have that human
advantage, and most do not have owners who think
While there are many differences between breeds, they can put sneakers on them for life.
the feet and pads of the 200-plus AKC This need has become a practical
recognized breeds have a common problem and now there is a
denominator. They are all “ simple solution. Why not
designed to carry out the fit your pup and dog with
specific jobs described as built-in shoe-wear that
part of their breed function This simple toe trimming will help save their
and purpose. Thus, if their joints. This is not pie in
feet do not conform to method, coupled with the the sky but a practical
their breed’s standard, question. Suppose
they will not be able discipline and willingness you wanted to lessen
to perform a required the stress and wear
function of their breed. to nip the nails weekly on your dog’s feet,
Those who fall short in elbows, shoulders,
this area are faulted by is a secret that has been and hip joints and
judges in the show ring. better protect them
A mistake often made “ overlooked. to last longer and move
by breeders is to ignore better. Unfortunately,
the feet of their pups when many breeders discard dogs
they are young and still in their from their breeding program
formative stages. because they do not have thick
and protective paws. Some worry
that they will produce pups with similar
HOW TO DEVELOP BETTER FEET traits. Many of those worries can now be put to rest
because there is a new method that will help put
Most people ignore the fact that their puppies and sneakers on your puppies and dogs for a lifetime.
their dogs are bare-footed animals. Humans are
different in that we were raised by parents who Here is how it is done. We know that by nipping the
started us out wearing shoes or sneakers because tips off the ends of a puppy’s toe nails each week

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