Mila made it to the top 10 finalists in her size category!

Admittedly getting dressed up is not my favorite pastime. I would much prefer lure coursing, earth dog, and dachshund racing, not in that particular order, but I like to pose for the camera and I like to do tricks. My mom said I've got a pretty face and I think I would be a great spokes dog for LuvGear clothing. It is great to wear when you go for a walk. Not only does it keep your fur clean. It tells our moms and dads when we get too hot; the indicator on the outfit tells you. This is great because you know down at my level it can easily be many degrees hotter than it is for our mom or dads when were walking.

So Please Vote For Me !!!!   So I can be the doggy spokes and clothing model for Small Breed- LuvGear

Please Vote For Me !!!!

 I am currently in 3rd please help.

Vote for Mila here: www.luvgearcontest.com/small-breed


Dogs can’t sweat easily and cool down quickly in hot weather. This is why LuvGear is promoting their TempAlert technology that alerts dog owners to help prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke. French Bulldogs are prone to over heating and extra care needs to be taken to keep this breed cool in warm weather. For that reason, we think Quigley would be the perfect spokesmodel for this particular product. The voting period ends Monday, July 25th, so don’t wait and vote for Quigley today!

The dog with the most votes in each category will be crowned LuvGear’s top dog.

• Prizes: The Winner Gets Braggin’ rights - plus, the winning dog from each category gets the following:
  • One-on-one face time with lifestyle pet photographer Seth Casteel, owner of Little Friends photography.
  • The select photo will grace the covers of a nationwide promotion for Planet PETCO™ with LuvGear™ Technology. 
  • Nationwide promotion as LuvGear’s top dog for Planet PETCO™ with LuvGear™ Technology.
  • Planet PETCO™ with LuvGear™ Technology gift package.

Events July to October

July 24
SDDC Summer Picnic Balboa Park


July 31 - Sunday 9:00am
San Diego's 3rd Annual Doggie Street Festival - Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Adaption event

August 5, 2011
Northern California Dachshund Club Conformation (Indoors/Outdoors)/ Obedience (Indoors/Outdoors) Dixon, CA

August 06, 2011 - Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm
Helen Woodward Animal Center's , - http://www.surfdog.kintera.org/ – Surfing clinic

August 16, (Tues):
ANNUAL NORTH COUNTY SUMMER FUN EVENING at the home of Sally Davis, 936 Devonshire, Encinitas, CA. See flyer elsewhere in this web site for details. There will be no business meeting, just a great potluck supper and lots of fun for Dachshunds and their owners.

August 20, 2011 - Saturday,

Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals - preliminaries 

August 20 - 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Luratics lure coursing 4721 Santa Monica Avenue in Ocean Beach.

August 27 & 28, 2011
Western Fox Terrier Breeders Association Earthdog -Intro and Junior tests only.
 Riverside, CA xx Premium xx

September 3-4, (SAT/SUN):

Cabrillo Kennel Club All Breed Shows, Bates Nut Farm, Valley Center, CA.

September 5th - Monday
Wienerschnitzel Wiener Dog Nationals @ Del Mar Racetrack – Top 16

September 11, 2011 Sunday, 8:00am - 3:00pm
Helen Woodward - http://www.surfdog.kintera.org/ Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon by surfdozer

September 17
Luratics  lure coursing Montevalle Park in Chula Vista, 840 Duncan Ranch Rd. Signups Will Begin On August 28th

September 17
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of America Agility (Outdoors) - Bonita, CA

September 20, (Tues)
General Meeting at Allied Gardens Recreation Center.  Potluck supper at 6:30 pm, followed by a brief business meeting. The program will be presented by Katie Kangas, DVM, CVA, of The Animal Healing Center in San Diego. Dr. Kangas will discuss her approaches to holistic veterinary medicine and her very successful use of acupuncture in treating Dachshunds.Groomer Robin Boyette or her associate will be available for Dachshund nail trimming and other light grooming. A donation of $5.00 is suggested.

September 24-25, (Sat/Sun):
Santa Ana Valley Kennel Club All Breed Shows, Richard Gahr High School, Cerritos, CA.

September 25, 2011
San Angeles Saluki Club Chino, CA- Title Lure Coursing Test

Oct 1, 2011
Aztec Doberman Pinscher Club of San Diego Agility (Outdoors) - Point Loma, CA

October 15 & 16, 2011
San Diego's Pet Expo Del Mar Fairgrounds

October 16, 2011
Obedience Club of San Diego County, Inc. Obedience (Outdoors) /AKC Rally® (Outdoors)- San Diego, CA

OCTOBER 22 - 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Luratics  lure coursing 4721 Santa Monica Avenue in Ocean Beach 3rd Annual Luratics Halloween Party! Prizes for Costumes! Lure Coursing! FOOD! More details Soon!! SIGNUPS WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 9TH

OCTOBER 23
Hidden Valley Obedience Club of North San Diego County Obedience (Outdoors)/AKC Rally® (Outdoors) - Escondido, CA

OCTOBER 29
Golden Retriever Club of San Diego County, Inc. Agility (Outdoors) - Point Loma, CA

OCTOBER 29 -30

Border Terrier Club of Southern California Earthdog- Anaheim, CA Premium - pdf 


NOVEMBER 19 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m
Luratics  lure coursing 4721 Santa Monica Avenue in Ocean Beach. Signups Will Begin On October 30th

Wiener Racing Season Heating up

2011 wienerschnitzel wiener nationals
http://vimeo.com/26026583

About this video:
"Wienerschnitzel's 2011 world's biggest littlest race in history was photographed and directed by Aron Paul Orton. Using canon 5d, twixtor, and whole lot of effect plugins, the old world and the new world collide."

The 2011 Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nations directed by Aron Paul Orton takes a look back at the biggest littlest race in history.

Credits: 

Ad agency: dgwb
Executive Creative Director: Jon Gothold
Creative Director:Courtney Betley
Art Director:-
Copywriter:Courtney Betley
Account Executive: Doug Koegeboehn
Director:Aron Paul Orton
Photographer:Aron Paul Orton
Agency Producer:Antonietta Smekal
Post Production: Aron Paul Orton, Brant Weisman

Web page

http://thewienernationals.com/#/the-great-wiener-run 

Blog: http://thewienernationals.tumblr.com/

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE COMING EVENTS

JUNE – SEPTEMBER 2011

JUNE 4: Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition, Dunes Beach/ Park, Imperial Beach, CA., 11 am-2 pm.

JUNE 4-5: Kennel Club of Pasadena All Breed Shows, Brookside Pk, Pasadena, CA.

JUNE 5: City of Encinitas 2011 Pet Expo, offering a variety of activities. Encinitas Parks and Recreation Center, Encinitas, CA, 9 am-1 pm.

JUNE 18: “Real Dogs Don’t Whisper” book signing by author Kelly Preston to benefit the FACE Foundation, Rolling Hills Pet Hospital, 11 am-1 pm. RealDogsDon’tWhisper@gmail.com.

JUNE 18: LURATICS All Breed Lure Coursing,Ocean Beach, CA.

JUNE 18-19: Bahia Sur Kennel Club of Chula Vista All Breed Shows, Southwestern College, Chula Vista, CA.

JUNE 21: General Meeting at Allied Gardens Recreation Center. Potluck supper at 6:30 pm, followed by a brief business meeting. The Program will be offered by Alison Spencer and Jennifer Raupp of C & B Specialty Pet Foods in Oceanside. The title of their fun and educational program will be “Alison and Jen’s Home Cooking for Dogs.” Bring your Dachshunds to sniff and sample free treats. Groomer Robin Boyette will be available for Dachshund nail trimming and other light grooming. A donation of $5.00 is suggested.

JUNE 25: Dachshund Club of California AKC Sanctioned B Dachshund Puppy Match, Orange Empire Club House, Bloomington, CA.

JUNE 27-28: Great Western Terrier Association of Southern California Earthdog Trial (Open to Dachshunds), Canyon RV Park, Riverside, CA. Premium

JUNE 28: Southern California Den Dogs AWTA Den Trial (Open to Dachshunds), Canyon RV Park, Riverside, CA. Premium

JULY 2-3: Kennel Club of Beverly Hills All Breed Shows, Queen Mary Events Park, Long Beach, CA.

JULY 8-10: Channel City Kennel Club All Breed Shows, Santa Maria Kennel Club All Breed Shows , and Ventura County Dog Fanciers Club All Breed Shows Ventura County Fairgrounds, Ventura, CA.

JULY 16: LURATICS All Breed Night Lure Coursing, Montevalle Park, Chula Vista, CA.

JULY 24: ANNUAL SDDC “GET ALONG LITTLE DOGGIES” DACHSHUND SUMMER PICNIC, Balboa Park, Noon to 3 pm. Please volunteer to help before, during and after this event.
JULY 31: Doggie Street Festival, Preble Field, Liberty Station, Point Loma, CA.

AUG. 13-14: South Bay Kennel Club All Breed Shows, North High School Torrance, CA.

AUG. 20: Wienerschnitzel Wiener Dog Races, including our SDDC Information and Sales Booth, Rugby field adjacent to Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA.

AUG. 20: LURATICS  All Breed Lure Coursing, Ocean Beach, CA.

AUG. 26-29: Simi Valley Kennel Club All Breed Shows, Santa Barbara Kennel Club All Breed Shows, and Conejo Kennel Club All Breed Shows Earl Warren Fairgrounds, Santa Barbara, CA.

SEPT. 3-4: Cabrillo Kennel Club All Breed Shows, Bates Nut Farm, Valley Center, CA.

SEPT. 17:LURATICS  All Breed Lure Coursing, Montevalle Park, Chula Vista, CA.

SEPT. 20: General Meeting at Allied Gardens Recreation Center. Potluck supper at 6:30 pm, followed by a brief business meeting. The program will be presented by Katie Kangas, DVM, CVA, of The Animal Healing Center in San Diego. Dr. Kangas will discuss her approaches to holistic veterinary medicine and her very successful use of acupuncture in treating Dachshunds. Groomer Robin Boyette or her associate will be available for Dachshund nail trimming and other light grooming. A donation of $5.00 is suggested.

SEPT. 24-25: Santa Ana Valley Kennel Club All Breed Shows, Richard Gahr High School, Cerritos, CA.

Up dated events April - May

APRIL

APRIL 15 -17:
America’s Family Pet Expo, Costa Mesa, CA.
SDDC-sponsored Dachshund Meet the Breed Booth at Members and their people-friendly Dachshunds are needed to help in the booth. http://www.petexpooc.com/?gclid=CKWQ25OIk6cCFQcObAod5wEOcQ

APRIL, 17, 2011  Sunday
LURATICS and SCJRTC are teaming up for an incredible day of fun for everyone!

LURATICS will have Lure Coursing set up for all breeds from 

9 AM until 12 PM

SCJRTC will set up the Go-To-Ground and Supper Earth Tunnels for those with Earth Dogs from

12 PM until 3 PM
Fees are as follows per dog:

Lure Coursing: $10 for the first run, $7 for the second, $5 each after that with a 2-run minimum 

GTG/Super Earth: $5 all day

Get there early and help set-up!

 Scibilia Field

Adams Community Park,

28751 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, CA

April 30th and May 1, 2011

SCJRTC Spring Fox Frolic III & IV

Bates Nut Farm 15954 Woods Valley Road Valley Center, CA    92082

Sanctioned by the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, Inc.

2 “A” Rated Trials, Conformation, GTG/ Super Earth, Brush Hunt and Agility

website at www.scjrtc.com
Premium - http://www.scjrtc.com/clubevents/clubtrials.html 

APRIL 30 - MAY 1 

Dachshund Club of Santa Ana Valley Dachshund

Specialty Shows, Claremont, CA.

MAY

 MAY 1, 2011 

 http://www.wienerfest.info/

The Wine Country Wiener Fest (WCWF) rough schedule of events is as follows:

	11:00am - 12:00n		Arrive, games, vendors, early-bird raffles, silent auctions...
	12:00n - 1:00pm		BBQ lunch, Dachshund Trivia, Longshadow wine tasting!
	1:00pm - 2:00pm		Dexter's Derby Dachsund Races!
	2:00pm - 3:00pm		Complete raffles, silent auctions, announce game winners!

Some Rules & Recommendations from your WCWF Event Hosts include:

• A one-human per dachsund ratio is HIGHLY recommended!  Bring ALL your doxies, but bring human help!
• It takes TWO humans to handle ONE doxie in the Doxie Races!  If you're racing, you need TWO humans!
• NO "extendy" (retractable) leashes - use your short 5 or 6 ft. fixed-length leashes, please!
• Mind your doxie's manners!  Keep control of your "kids" - fluffy & otherwise - at ALL times!

  

MAY 7, 2011 

Wieners -n- Wheels at Sunny Oasis Rescue's 2011 Wienerfest

 Lovers of dachshunds and classic cars won't have to choose their favorite on guests can celebrate their dedication to both.

Wheels -n- Wieners Wienerfest 2011
Hosted by Sunny Oasis Rescue

Fairmount Park
Riverside, CA 92501

Sunday, May 7, 2011
10 am - 3 pm

(951) 233-2413 or (951) 780-6718
sunnyoasisrescue@sbcglobal.com
www.sunnyoasisrescue.org

• Classic car & motorcycle show
• Wiener races
• Dachshund costume contest
• Dogs for adoption
• Fundraising raffle
• Fabulous food booths & vendors
• Musical entertainment

Of course, the best activity at any wiener gathering is ogling the hundreds of dachshund guests!
For more information or to register your car or motorcycle for the show or your dachshund for the race, please call (951) 233-2413 or (951) 780-6718, email sunnyoasisrescue@sbcglobal.com or visit www.sunnyoasisrescue.org.

"Dexter's Derby" Dachshund Races - Information &Registration

Our featured event of the afternoon will be the "Dexter's Derby" Dachshund Races!

• Dachshund PUPPIES! - all doxies less than 2 years old
  
• Dachshund Adult Open - all doxies 2 to 8 years old
  
• Dachshund Seniors - all doxies 8 years and older
  
• Dachshund Mixes - all doxie mixed-breeds, any age
  

Races will be held in the above four (4) categories. &nbspEach category will accept a maximum of 16 entries on a first-come, first served basis.  Each category will run 4 heats of 4 doxies, with winners from each heat advancing to the category Final Race.  The winners from each category will then race for the "Dexter's Derby - Grand Champion" title!

The Dexter's Derby entry fee is just $10.00 per doxie with 100% going to Doxie Rescue.
The brackets will fill up fast so reserve your space(s) now! Submit your entry fee(s) using the PayPal "Add to Cart" button provided to the right...  Don't delay - Enter TODAY!

MAY 8 

Rio Hondo Kennel Club All Breed Show, Pomona, CA

www.jbradshaw.com/20/index.htm

MAY 14

SDDC Dachshund Meet the Breed Booth

Allied Gardens Springfest - http://www.navajoevents.com/SpringFest/tabid/55/Default.aspx

9am - 4pm

MAY 17 - Wednesday

General Meeting at Allied Gardens Recreation Center. 

5:00 - drill training 

6:30 pm  - Potluck supper  followed by a brief business meeting. 

The program for this meeting will be offered by Vice President Mechelle Stall, who will discuss and demonstrate the training and handling of Dachshunds in the show ring. This program will be held outdoors on the Allied Gardens lawn. Robin Boyett will be available for Dachshund nail trimming and other light grooming. A donation of $5.00 is suggested.

MAY 21-22 Saturday & Sunday

Mt. Palomar Kennel Club All Breed Show, Valley Center, CA. 

http://www.mtpalomarkennelclub.com

MAY 28

San Gabriel Valley Kennel Club All Breed Show, Pomona, CA.

http://www.eventcrazy.com/Pomona-CA/events/details/157642-San-Gabriel-Valley-Kennel-Club-Dog-Show

JUNE 7

Board Meeting** at Aero Drive Sizzler Restaurant. 7:00 pm.

** The Board invites all members to attend and participate in these meetings. Come and see how the business of our Club is conducted.

Up - Comming Events

February

February 19^th Saturday

Canine Cancer walks

Cancer strikes over six million dogs in the U.S. each year and it is the number one killer of adult dogs. We are a group of dog lovers committed to doing our part to raise badly needed funds for research into Canine Cancer treatments, early detection methods, affordable effective treatments and ultimately a cure.

Celebrate your best friend or honor the memory of beloved dog(s) lost to cancer. This walk is one of a series of Canine Cancer walks across the country that have raised over $268,000 for canine cancer research in the last 20 months.

Grab your friends, family and co-workers and create a team! Register by February 17th to benefit from the online early registration fee of $30 for adults and $15 for kids 10 and under. Walk day registration is $35. The event includes a 1 mile walk, a canine health educational program and opportunity drawings. All walkers will receive bandannas for their dogs and awareness bracelets. Registration and check-in opens at 9 am and the Walk begins at 10 am. The educational speakers begin at 10:45 am. To register online or download the registration form please go to: www.CanineK.org

February 21, 2011, Monday,  -

Hunting Performance Test  - Greater San Diego Basset Hound Club

President’s Day, the Greater San Diego Basset Hound Club will be sponsoring a Basset Hound Club of America Hunting Performance Test, which is open to all Scent Hounds, at the Southern California Beagle Club grounds, at 20025 Lounsberry Rd., Perris.

We invite you and your Scent Hounds to come out and join us for a fun day.  There are both Cottontails and Jack Rabbits on the grounds, and stakes will be Solo, Brace, or Pack on Rabbit or Hare.

premium and the BHCA Hunting Performance Test Rules.

For those of you with Basset Hounds the Greater San Diego Basset Hound Club is having a Field Trial on Saturday and Sunday, February 19 and 20, 2011 at the same location.

FEBRUARY 26 – 27

San Diego Dachshund Club Specialty Shows

in conjunction with the Silver Bay Kennel Club All Breed Shows of February. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 8 am – 5 pm. To view the premium list, see www.dogshowsecretary.com.

March

March 5. 2011 Saturday,

Welsh Terrier Club of Southern California - Earthdog event

Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, Section E South El Monte, CA
10124 Woodbridge Ln Riverside, CA 92509
msWord Premium pdf

March 5. 2011 Saturday,

United States Lakeland Terrier Club - Earthdog event

Whittier Narrows Recreation Area South El Monte, CA
FOLLOWS THE WELSH TESTS = msWord Premium pdf

March 6, 2011 Sunday,

Western Fox Terrier Breeders Association - Earthdog event

Whittier Narrows Recreation Area South El Monte, CA
msWord Premium pdf

March 06, 2011, Sunday,

SC DEN DOGS AWTA Den Trial - Earthdog event

( following WFTBA Test) Whittier Narrows -Legg Lake
Sporting Dog Area - South El Monte, CA
xx Premium xx

MARCH 5 – 6

Dachshund Club of California Dachshund Specialty Shows, Temecula, CA.

MARCH 15

Talk on topic of rescue and assistance to dogs during disaster emergencies

General Meeting at Allied Gardens Recreation Center. Potluck supper at 6:30 pm, followed by a brief business meeting. The program for this meeting will be offered by a representative of the Department of Animal Control, who will speak on the topic of rescue and assistance to dogs during disaster emergencies. Robin Boyett will be available for Dachshund nail trimming and other light grooming. A donation of $5.00 is suggested.

March 19th, 2011

LURATICS - San Diego's Only All-Breed Canine Lure Coursing Club

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location: School ball field at 4721 Santa Monica Avenue, Ocean Beach, CA 92107.  This is behind the school, on the corner of Ebers and Newport.

Restrooms are at the Rec Center on the other side of the school.

goodies from Pinto Thai Bistro.  Food, fun, dogs, lure coursing - what could be better??  The live link for signups will be on the website on the evening of March 6th; there will be a 2-run minimum.  We're hoping to have at least 30 dogs sign up but we'll run with as few as 20, so please sign all your dogs up.

Pat  http://www.luratics.com

MARCH 20

Annual SDDC Vernal Equidox informal walk in Balboa Park,

noon – 3:00 pm. This event will include participation in the organ concert, with special canine music and a Dachshund parade across the stage (2:00 – 3:00 pm). http://www.sddc.us

MARCH 20

Del Mar Kennel Club All Breed Shows, Valley Center, CA.

APRIL

APRIL 15 -17:
America’s Family Pet Expo, Costa Mesa, CA.
SDDC-sponsored Dachshund Meet the Breed Booth at Members and their people-friendly Dachshunds are needed to help in the booth.

APRIL, 17, 2011  Sunday
LURATICS and SCJRTC are teaming up for an incredible day of fun for everyone!

LURATICS will have Lure Coursing set up for all breeds from 

9 AM until 12 PM

SCJRTC will set up the Go-To-Ground and Supper Earth Tunnels for those with Earth Dogs from

12 PM until 3 PM
Fees are as follows per dog:

Lure Coursing: $10 for the first run, $7 for the second, $5 each after that with a 2-run minimum 

GTG/Super Earth: $5 all day

Get there early and help set-up!

 Scibilia Field

Adams Community Park,

28751 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, CA

April 30th and May 1, 2011

SCJRTC Spring Fox Frolic III & IV

Bates Nut Farm 15954 Woods Valley Road Valley Center, CA    92082

Sanctioned by the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, Inc.

2 “A” Rated Trials, Conformation, GTG/ Super Earth, Brush Hunt and Agility

website at www.scjrtc.com
Premium - http://www.scjrtc.com/clubevents/clubtrials.html 

Knowing your dogs vital signs can spare you time and stress.

You come home from work and your dog greets you but isn’t his bouncy, “normal,” exuberant self. He continues
to seem a bit subdued into the evening.

You start to wonder whether your dog could be sick. Should you wait and see what happens or should you go to the veterinarian?
A little knowledge gained in advance about your dog and his normal vital signs could save a lot of anxiety, uncertainty, and time should you find yourself asking these kinds of questions.

“Become familiar with your dog’s vital signs when he is healthy and normal to help determine whether your dog is seriously ill, if you are ever in doubt,” advises AKC Companion Animal Recovery’s Elaine Smith.

“Know what is normal,” says Smith, a veterinary technician. “Take your dog’s temperature and pulse. Record your dog’s respiration rate. Note mucous-membrane color and capillary refill time as well as skin turgidity and mucous-membrane moistness and body weight. Put all these values on a card that will be easily accessible in your first-aid kit.”

Not sure exactly how to do this? It’s easier than you think and only takes 10 minutes or so. To record your dog’s vital signs while he seems to be his usual self, all you will need is a thermometer, stopwatch, pen, and paper.

Temperature  Designate a standard digital thermometer (available in drugstores and grocery stores) to use exclusively for your dog. Apply a small amount of lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, to the end of the thermometer. It possible, have someone on hand to assist you to steady and restrain your dog, if necessary. Insert the thermometer so that the metal tip is inside the dog’s rectum as far as it will easily go—up to two inches or so. At a minimum, the metal tip should be inside. Follow the directions on the thermometer. It should beep when it has recorded the dog’s temperature. Remove the thermometer and note the reading. An average temperature is usually between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Pulse - Place your hand flat against your dog’s chest, just behind the front leg. You should be able to feel your dog’s heart beating. Take a count for 15 seconds, and then multiply by four to get the number of beats per minute. A dog’s heart makes two contractions for each heartbeat, so count each “tub dup” as one beat. You can also get your dog’s pulse or heart rate by feeling the femoral artery, a large artery that runs inside the back leg. If you have difficulties taking your dog’s pulse, ask your veterinarian to show you how the next time you visit. Most adult dogs’ heart rate falls between 60 and 160 beats a minute. Toy breeds’ or puppies’ rates average 180 beats a minute.

Respiration Rate - While your dog is awake but relaxed, watch his rib cage se and fall. Count the number of breaths (one rise and fall of the rib cage) for 15 seconds. Multiply that count by four to get breaths per minute. Note this rate. (If your dog has recently exercised, be sure to wait an hour or more before taking his respiration rate.)
Mucous-membrane- Use your fingers to pull back your dog’s lips so you can get a good look all around the gums. Some dogs will have areas of black pigmentation, which is normal. Pay attention to the nonpigmented areas, which should be pink. It may be helpful to take a photo or two that you can refer to later. Also note the moistness of the gums; they shouldn’t be dry or tacky.

	Skin Turgor - Grip the scruff of your dog’s neck and pull up or “tent” the skin. When you let go, does it return to its normal position quickly? Dehydration impairs the skin’s elasticity. If your dog is dehydrated, the skin won’t snap back as quickly as normal.
Capillary Refill Time Lift your dog’s lip and firmly press your finger to a non-pigmented area of the gums for a second or two. Once you remove your finger, it should take less than two seconds for the blanched area where your finger was to return to its normal color.