Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

The Sulphur Crested Cockatoo is a large dog, demanding, living around 40–70 years. In a city where space is measured carefully, this breed asks less of a floor plan than people expect - it cares far more about whether anyone is in the room.

The real work here is seasonal. Four months of rain shape the coat care, the drying routine and the walk schedule, and a household that plans for that enjoys the dog considerably more than one surprised by it each June.

Caring for a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo through a Mumbai year

• Monsoon: four months of rain shape the routine. Dry the dog thoroughly and never let bedding stay damp.
• Teeth: brushed or given something to chew; dental trouble is the most under-treated thing we see.
• Nails: trimmed before you can hear them on hard flooring.
• Training: loose-lead walking and reliable recall, both set in the first three months.
• Clinic: number saved and records kept in the same place.