E ating style varies between dogs, but most are gorgers-especially hunting breeds like Beagles and Labrador Retrievers. They evolved to eat huge quantities at one time. F leas are the bane of dogs, with more than 250 kinds of fleas found in the United States. The most common type that afflicts dogs is Ctenocephalides felis - the cat flea. G eriatric dogs live healthier and longer than ever before, due to better health care and nutrition throughout their life.
Small dogs tend to live longer than large dogs.
H unting behavior has been refined through domestication so that certain breeds rely more on their scenting ability, others on sight, some retrieve or flush game, and others herd. I mmunity develops in puppies several weeks after birth. Dogs greet each other by aiming attention at the dominant animal's eyes and mouth-they can't reach people without jumping up. K idney disease is common in older dogs. Dogs rarely show signs of illness until up to 70 percent of kidney function is gone.