Your puppy should come with it’s first set of shots and deworming and will require two more boosters spaced one month apart. Thereafter, yearly vaccinations are needed along with an annual veterinary check-up.

Neutering of both sexes is best by 6 months of age (before hormonal maturity) for an ideal pet. The procedure can be done by your local veterinarian. Behavioral aggression, scenting territory, and wandering are all reduced or eliminated completely by neutering. This surgery does not cause obesity in dogs.

Dogs’ nails should be trimmed or filed every 3 – 6 weeks. If a nail bleeds, it can be stopped with ‘Quik Stop’ or with a nitrous stick such as men use for shaving nicks.

Grooming is simple. No hair cuts! Bathe as required, using both shampoo and conditioner to keep coat from drying out. Washing the head last will cause less stress on the dog. An occasional brushing will keep shedding to a minimum. Whiskers, long hairs on ear edges, tail tips, or whorls can be trimmed for a neater appearance for photography or showing.

This hearty, sensitive breed’s life span is from 12 – 18 years, with few health problems.