Dog's normal breathing rate - 15 to 20 per minute.

Dog's normal heartbeat - 100 to 150 beats per minute. Take pulse under chest or under rear leg where it joins the body.

Dog's normal temperature - 101 to 102 degrees. Use rectal thermometer for taking temperature and leave in the rectum for three or four minutes. Hold the thermometer firmly while taking the dog's temperature. The rectal muscles can pull the thermometer completely into the dog's body if you let go of it momentarily.

Color of mucus membranes ( includes the gums, tongue, inside of eyelids) should be a nice healthy pink. Memorize the color of your dog's membranes when he is well (color varies from dog to dog), so that you will know when there is a change in the color.

Spaying and Neutering your Dog

If you do not plan on breeding your dog, consider the option of spaying or neutering.

By neutering your female dog you are:
Removing the chance of accidental breeding.
Eliminating two three-week-long sessions per year of her being in season.
Eliminating the problem of vaginal discharge during her season.
Preventing false pregnancies and infections of the uterus.
Helps prevent the onset of any possible genital cancer that may develop when the dog isn't used.
Reducing the chance of mammary tumors.
Eliminating the nuisance of male dogs in the neightborhood congregating at your home during season.

By neutering your male dog you are:
Removing the chance of his accidentally siring a litter of puppies.
Eliminating the desire to roam from home if there is a female dog in season in the neighborhood.
Eliminating the need to mark his territory with urine if he scents a female dog in season.
Decreasing, in some cases, aggressive behavior towards other male dogs.
Helps prevent the onset of any possible genital cancer that may develop when the dog isn't used.
For more information on spaying/neutering, check with your veterinarian. He can also tell you the best age for these procedures to be done for your breed.