How to Care for a Bodeguero Andaluz

When we adopt a Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz puppy, we need to be aware that it's our responsibility to take proper care of them — puppies are very delicate and need a lot of care.

Likewise, an adult Bodeguero Andaluz also needs certain care to stay healthy and strong — care we're covering below.

Coat care for the Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz

Bodeguero Andaluz dogs stand out for their coat color and softness, but they need certain care so their coat doesn't become coarse and rough.

By following simple guidelines, we'll keep their coat's shine and softness intact indefinitely, since these dogs shed at least twice a year.

How do I care for a Bodeguero Andaluz's coat?

We need to understand that to keep our Ratonero Bodeguero's coat clean, we need to brush them at least three times a week, using a brush designed for short-haired dogs.

This will remove dirt and dead hair, making room for new hair to grow. We should always brush our dog in the direction the coat grows, gently, to avoid skin problems.

A diet rich in fish oil, like salmon oil, will give their coat extra shine, making it much more beautiful and eye-catching.

How often should I bathe a Bodeguero dog?

If our dog doesn't tend to roll around in muddy puddles, we can bathe them once or twice a month, always using a shampoo made specifically for dogs, since their pH is different from ours, and using our own soap could irritate them or cause dandruff.

If our Bodeguero Andaluz is a puppy, we should make sure the bath water is lukewarm, and above all, dry them completely afterward to prevent them from getting cold.

Puppies are extremely delicate, and a simple draft can cause a very serious cold. Using one or more towels, or even a hairdryer, is highly recommended.

Care and maintenance for a Ratonero Bodeguero

Although they might seem complex, this basic care is completely necessary for our Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz to enjoy good health. If you think about it, it's very similar to the care we give ourselves.

It doesn't need to be done daily — just from time to time, or whenever our dog needs it. For example, we can do ear cleaning once a week and nail trimming once a month.

How and when to trim a Bodeguero Andaluz's nails

The Bodeguero Andaluz breed tends to have long nails that need trimming if they don't wear down naturally. Dogs who play on asphalt or concrete naturally wear their nails down, but countryside dogs don't.

We should simply trim them when they reach the ground and become a possible health issue for the Bodeguero. To trim them, we need to make sure where the nerve and blood vessels end, since they should never be cut flush with the paw.

Dogs' nails contain nerves and blood vessels almost halfway along their length, so we should never go past that point. If in doubt, we can ask our vet to show us how.

• Detailed information here: Steps for trimming a dog's nails

Ear cleaning and frequency

A Bodeguero Andaluz's ears are prone to getting dirty, since their ears are usually held upright, which makes it easier for dust and dirt to get in. That's why it's highly recommended to clean their ears once a week.

To clean them, we should soak a clean piece of gauze in special dog ear-cleaning solution and, using our pinky finger, gently rub the inside of their ears.

A Ratonero Bodeguero's ears are very sensitive — we need to clean them calmly and very carefully, without pressing too hard. Rubbing the soaked gauze inside will help lift stuck dirt and leave them clean.

Eye care for a Bodeguero Andaluz dog

The Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz is a very bold, curious, and somewhat nosy dog, so they'll get into the most unexpected places to satisfy their curiosity. This often results in them ending up with plant debris or dirt in their eyes.

A dog's eyes are very sensitive, and we should never try to treat them on our own, since we could make things worse and cause a very serious infection. If we notice any of the following symptoms, we should simply see a vet:

• Excessive tearing
• Wounds on the eyeballs
• Dark or greenish eye discharge
• Swelling of the eyes or eyelids
• Redness of the eyes or surrounding area

Caring for a Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz dog's teeth

There are two ways to care for a Bodeguero Andaluz dog's teeth: through veterinary treatments to remove tartar caused by our Bodeguero's diet when needed, and by using natural products that clean tartar on their own.

Many people choose to wait until their Bodeguero has built up a certain amount of tartar before taking them to the vet for a cleaning, but this comes with a series of risks:

• Bad breath
• Possible gum infections
• Tooth loss

Not to mention the cost of a tartar cleaning at a vet clinic. The healthiest option is to use natural chew toys that gradually remove tartar, preventing buildup.

Feeding our dog meaty bones like chicken carcasses or wings will help keep their teeth clean and free of tartar. If we don't like this option, we can always buy natural chew toys instead.

The importance of caring for their paws

Every dog, regardless of breed, needs us to take care of their paws, since they don't wear shoes or boots like we do. It's very common for a dog to get a thorn or metal or glass fragments stuck in their paws.

Sometimes we'll notice because they're bleeding, whining, or limping, but other times we won't notice until an infection develops. It's important to check our Bodeguero Andaluz's paws and pads at least once a week.

A Bodeguero dog's anal glands

We find it quite funny watching some dogs drag their bottom across the grass or floor after pooping. Sometimes they do it simply to clean themselves, thinking there might be leftover mess or dirt.

But many other times they do it because they're itchy, either due to internal parasites, or because their anal glands are full and need to be manually emptied.

• Detailed info: How to empty a dog's anal glands

These glands usually empty automatically along with bowel movements, but sometimes they get blocked and need our vet's help to empty them. If you notice your dog dragging their bottom often, see your vet.