Total Dog Magazine

Author: Dog News

  • Festive Pet Eats Entire Advent Calendar

    Dog-at-vet

    Christmas cheer nearly turned to tears for a Humberside family after their pet dog ate the treats from an advent calendar – then needed emergency veterinary treatment for chocolate poisoning.
    Three-year-old Lhasa Apso, Daisy, helped herself to the goodies when owner Frances Hird (34) left the calendar unattended as she took daughter Holly to school from their home in Spring Bank West, Hull:

    “When I got back 15 minutes later, I noticed the house was eerily quiet, and wondered where Daisy was,” recalls Frances. “I ran upstairs and found her sitting among the remains of Holly’s advent calendar. It was in tatters and all the chocolates were gone.”

    Daisy became ill as a result of her sweet treats so Frances took her to Hull PDSA PetAid hospital, located on Brunswick Avenue. Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Murtagh McDonnell, recalls the case:

    “Daisy came into us suffering from a very painful stomach, as she’d eaten quite a lot of chocolate for a small dog. Human chocolate can be deadly to dogs because it contains theobromine which is highly poisonous. We immediately gave Daisy injections to counteract the side effects of the poisoning and thankfully there appeared to be no serious harm done.”

    This was a great relief to Frances, who brought her sweet-toothed pet back to the hospital the next day for a check-up and received the all-clear. “I want to say a big thank you to PDSA for treating Daisy. Within hours she was back to her normal self again. We’ll be making sure that sweets and chocolates are kept out of her way from now on.”

    Chocolate poisoning is one of the many Christmas related pet hazards PDSA vets encounter over the festive season. Some people give their pets chocolates as treats, not realising how dangerous it is, or, as in this case, accidentally leave them within easy reach of curious paws.

    Murtagh added: “Daisy was very lucky in this instance, but chocolate can be deadly. If you want to treat your pet this Christmas, try a savoury pet treat, new toy, a nice long walk or game of fetch!”

    PDSA’s top five Christmas pet hazards:

    1. Swallowing objects – accidents have included eating toys, decorations and batteries.

    2. Accidental poisoning through chocolate and other human foods, such as raisins and artificial sweeteners.

    3. Gastric torsion – a twisted stomach often caused by vigorous exercise immediately after a large meal.

    4. Hypothermia – low body temperature from exposure to cold weather.

  • Happy Dog’s Ostrich Meat Food Helps To Aid Projects In Rwanda

    Happy Dog, Germany’s leading and largest dried premium dog food manufacturer, in keeping with its philosophies, has recently introduced to the UK, as part of its on going programme of providing premium quality products to a discerning market, a new innovative product for dogs with sensitive digestive systems – AFRICA .

    AFRICA is one of Happy Dog’s Halo Brands, inspired by the cuisine of different countries around the world, Happy Dog’s Supreme Sensible Nutrition range not only provides wholesome and tasty food for dogs but it also provides specific solutions for feeding demanding and sensitive dogs, Lovingly prepared and developed by vets in Happy Dog’s factory in Bavaria, this range is even tastier and more easily digestible than many other foods on the market. The food is suitable for fully-grown dogs of all breeds and contains ingredients that reflect regional cuisine.

    Happy Dog’s AFRICA contains ostrich meat and is suitable for dogs with food intolerances. There is only one animal protein source in the food and it contains no cereals and only uses gluten-free potatoes so is ideal for dogs with cereal allergies and intolerances..

    Ostrich meat is becoming increasingly important for feeding dogs with demanding nutritional requirements. The meat is characterised by its special dark red colour and easy digestibility.

    The food is available in a medium kibble size, in a range of bag sizes, 300g, 1 kg, 4 kg and 12.5 kg and in small kibble in the ‘My Little Range’ in bags of 700g and 2.5Kg.

    Happy Dog is reknowned worldwide for its innovative approach to dog nutrition and continues to develop premium quality products to a discerning market and a further new ‘Halo brand product’ is planned to be launched at Crufts 2012. Further information on this new product will be released in the next few months.

    Buying Happy Dog’s AFRICA will help to fund projects in Rwanda

    The smallest country in Africa, Rwanda, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Over 60% of the population lives below the poverty line. The rate of adult illiteracy is 35%. Happy Dog donates 1.30 euro from every 12.5 kg Africa-pack sold (0.50 euro for 4 kg, 0.14 euro for 1 kg) to the SOS-Hermann-Gmeiner school and the SOS-vocational training centre in Kigali, the country’s capital. This gives young people a start in a self-determined life.

    For further information on any of the Happy Dog ranges, email: info@happydoguk.com or visit the website: www.happydoguk.com

  • UK Domestic Dog Population Is Larger Than Originally Thought

    A new study has found that the UK domestic cat and dog population is larger than previously reported by industry figures. Cats and dogs are one of the most popular pets in the UK but it has been over 20 years since domestic cat and dog population estimates in the UK have been published in scientific peer-reviewed journals.

    The paper published in the Veterinary Record by Dr Jane Murray in the Department of Clinical Veterinary Science at Bristol University and colleagues, aimed to estimate the number of UK domestic cats and dogs and identify the characteristics of their owners. The figures are also useful to the animal health and welfare professions, including rescue charities, which can use these and future estimates to assess population changes.

    In 2007, a telephone survey of households randomly selected from the electoral roll revealed that cats and dogs were owned by 26 per cent and 31 per cent of households, respectively.

    The number of owned cats and dogs were predicted by two variables: the number of people in the household and the geographical location (London/rest of UK) of the household.

    UK census information and mid-year population estimates of the number of households and the average household size in 2006 in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were used to estimate that UK households owned approximately 10.3 million cats and 10.5 million dogs in 2006.

    Characteristics associated with cat and dog ownership were also identified. Cats were more likely to be owned by; households with gardens, semi-urban/rural households, households with someone qualified to degree level, respondents who were female and respondents who were aged less than 65 years. Cats were less likely to be owned by households with one or more dogs.

    The likelihood of dog ownership increased as the household size increased. Dogs were more likely to be owned by households with gardens, rural households and less likely to be owned by households with someone educated to degree level and households with cats or children aged less than 11 years.

    Female respondents and those aged less than 55 years were more likely to report dog ownership than other respondents. Dogs were less likely to be owned by households with one or more cats.

    Dr Jane Murray, Cats Protection Lecturer in Feline Epidemiology, commenting on the research, said: “The study has shown many common factors relating to cat and dog ownership, such as a garden and rural location, but it has also identified some notable differences.

    “In particular, the difference in the level of education achieved by a household owning cats and dogs. The reason for this association is unclear. It is unlikely to be related to household income as this variable was not shown to be significant but it could be related to household members with longer working hours having less time available to care for a dog.

    “Past reports have suggested that the number of pet cats exceeds the number of pet dogs in the UK. However, results from our study suggest that there are similar numbers of pet cats and dogs.”

    The researchers recommend the study is repeated in 2011, (the year of the next scheduled UK census), as any increase or decrease in population numbers will enable pet ownership trends to be monitored.

  • UK Pet Owner Statistics

    Another day, another survey on pet ownership data and pet owner trends.

    Not many months ago we revealed the results of a pet owner study conducted by the Blue Cross which revealed Wales was the dog ownership capital of the UK and the East Midlands were the most miserly spenders on their pets.

    Today a new study suggests Wales has the least pet owners per head and the East Midlands has the most.

    Research from National Pet Month shows how our nation’s love for pets is stronger than ever due to companionship needs, security or just simply for more family fun. There are 27 million pets in the country and 43% of households contain at least one furry, feathery or scaly family friend, making pets well and truly part of the UK’s landscape.

    Leading industry expert, the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) carried out the research on behalf of National Pet Month, which celebrates Great British Pets and runs from 5th April to 5th May. It has provided an insight into the pet purchasing trends in the UK outlined as follows; (more…)

  • Is The Dog Show World Racist?

    Racism and Inequality in the World of Dog Showing

    A recent article published in the weekly trade newspaper, Dog World addressed what the new vice chair at the Kennel Club Mike Townsend wanted to do to attract more newcomers to exhibit pedigree dogs. Having read the article and several responses by those with an obvious passion for dogs via its online forum It was surprising that the site moderator had removed several valid comments regarding ethnic minorities, the disabled and all other minorities with an interest indeed a passion for dogs, who had been conspicuously absent from judging appointments, or had been removed because show society managers felt the disabled judge was a danger to dogs and other users, writes 'The Dog Watcher'.

    (more…)

  • Dog Attack & Dog Bite Statistics (The Lies)

    As we observe the fall out from yet another high profile dog attack here in the UK, we thought it would be timely to re-publish this article by Alison Green of DDAWatch, who poses the question on dog attack and dog bite statistics – 'Are we being lied to by politicians?'

    (more…)

  • What Is Markiesje Dog Breed?

    If anyone has had experience with this newly revived (remade) Dutch breed, I’d be interested in hearing it, especially re their temperament.

    I’m really wishing I could read Dutch right now, as it says the breed was formed from Friesian “Bykes”. My FIL was Friesan, but I have no idea what a “Byke” is. (OK, just found it. It is a small mole dog.)

    “The Markiesje was a well known spaniel in the Netherlands in the 18th century and had the same ancestors as other toy spaniels, the King Charles Spaniel in England and the Epagneul Nain Continental (Papillon and Phalene), except that the Markiesje was somewhat larger and looked more like the larger spaniels.

    The dogs that were too small to be used as hunting dogs became women’s lap dogs. These “non-useable” little dogs were often seen in the patrician households. They were black or black with small white markings and were called Dutch spaniels. The same type of dog in red and white was usually called an Italian spaniel. In bed the little dogs served as foot warmers and in the bedroom they kept out the rodents. According to the legend, the breed name, the “Markiesje”, referred to the Marquise de Pompadour, the famous mistress of Louis XIV.

    But it could come from the French word “maquer”, which refers to a pointing breed, or from the habit of Spanish ladies to carry them around in baskets. Various French queens reported that these little dogs were their favorite companion dogs. They all had drop ears and only in the 19th century did some toy spaniels develop the semi-erect ears.”

    link to more photos and history here: Welkom

    CC

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  • The Terrier Song

    Now after enquiring about entering a dog show and finding out patterdale’s aren’t allowed as they they aren’t registered by the kcc?, I found this song and chubby wanted to share it with you.

    The Terrier Song

    Now there’s many a song about hunting,
    Packs and huntsmen are honoured by name,
    But there isn’t a song about terriers
    Which in lakeland have gained lasting fame.

    Chorus:
    So always remember your terriers,
    Protect them from wet and from cold,
    For the love of a tyke for his master
    Can never be measured in gold
    Whether it’s Fury or Trixie or Nellie,
    Or Rock, Jock or Turk it’s the same,
    One quality you’ll find among them,
    And dalesfolk call it ‘dead game’.
    And whether he’s rough or smooth coated,
    He’ll tackle badger, otter or fox,
    Run a drain or creep into a soil hole,
    Or squeeze through a grike in the rocks.
    Chorus:

    He’ll yield not one inch though they maul him,
    He’ll fight to the death on his own,
    Though sometimes he’ll be imprisoned
    By a rush in of soil or of stone.
    And then the brave lads of the valleys
    To save him will toil day and night,
    And join in a Hallo of triumph
    As he blinks back to god’s blessed light.
    Chorus:

    Now at Cruft’s famous show down in London,
    They have Lakelands that aren’t worth the name.
    If you showed ’em a fox or an otter
    They’d fly for their lives without shame.
    They’re not built to creep or do battle,
    But to sit on a chair in a house,
    And they do say that one recent champion
    Was chased down the road by a mouse!
    Chorus:

    So here’s to our gallant laal workers,
    Not beauties, perhaps, but they’ll do.
    With gameness they’ve also affection,
    And make you a pal good and true.
    And when your terrier, in old age, is dying,
    And the world all about you seems sad,
    A lick on the hand will console you,
    For a truer friend man never had.
    Final Chorus:
    D.P. Todd, Kendal (Tune: ‘Laal Melbreak’)

  • John Hamish

    Hi,

    Has anyone else bought a sick puppy from Copwell Kennels? I would be interested to hear from you if you have.

  • Could Canine Genetics Aid the Wild Wolf?

    Wolves have acquired a genetic mutation for dark coat colour through mating with domestic dogs, scientists report.
    Dark coats could help wolves adapt and survive in new environments, the international team argues.
    Light-coloured coats are dominant in wolves living on tundra, but dark coats have become common among wolves living in forested areas of North America.
    The findings come from a genetic analysis of wolf populations in Europe and North America.

    “We usually think that dogs developed from wolves. The work shows an example where dogs gave something back to wolves,” co-author Greg Barsh, from Stanford University in California, told Science magazine. A trait that was created by humans may now prove to be beneficial for wolves
    Read the full story here »
    Post from: Dog Magazine dot net – free online dog magazine from K9 Magazine
    Could Canine Genetics Aid the Wild Wolf?

    Link to full story K9 Magazine News Editor and Content aggregated by Dog News

  • Is This a Way Forward to Tackle Genetic Problems in Pedigree Dogs?

    The Companion Animal Welfare Council have produced a report covering a recent workshop discussing the issue of genetic health issues affecting our much loved pets. The report gives some very interesting food for thought on a number of options that may be available to us as we battle to tackle the problems affecting certain dog breeds suffering with genetic health conditions. Well worth a read.

    ——-
    Report of the Companion Animal Welfare Council Workshop held at 14:30 on Thursday 9th October 2008 at 2 Millbank, Westminster.
    Summary and conclusions
    At present, structured and coordinated approaches to implementation of appropriate breeding strategies for addressing genetic welfare problems in companion animals are limited and the leadership for such coordination is unclear. By default, the approach adopted has been one of developing diagnostic tests and breeding strategies to tackle specific problems.
    This is of course extremely important but there needs also to be higher level consideration of whether […]

    Link to full story Freelance Writers and Content aggregated by Dog News

  • Animal Organisation Labels Cesar Milan’s Dog Whisperer Style Training ‘Inhumane’

    The training tactics featured on Cesar Millan’s “Dog Whisperer” program are inhumane, outdated and improper, according to a letter sent yesterday to the National Geographic Channel by American Humane, the oldest national organization protecting children and animals.

    In the letter, American Humane, which works to raise public awareness about responsible pet ownership and reduce the euthanasia of unwanted pets, expressed dismay over the “numerous inhumane training techniques” advocated by Cesar Millan on “Dog Whisperer.”

    Several instances which the society considered to be ‘cruel and dangerous treatment’ – promoted by Millan as acceptable training methods – were documented by American Humane, including one in which a dog was partially asphyxiated in an episode.

    In this instance, the fractious dog was pinned to the ground by its neck after first being “hung” by a collar incrementally tightened by Millan. Millan’s goal – of subduing a fractious animal – was accomplished by partially cutting off the blood supply to its brain.

    The letter requests that National Geographic stop airing the program immediately and issue a statement explaining that the tactics featured on the program are inhumane, and it encourages National Geographic to begin developing programming that sets a positive example by featuring proper, humane animal training. In its letter, American Humane said: “We believe that achieving the goal of improving the way people interact with their pets would be far more successful and beneficial for the National Geographic Channel if it ceased sending the contradictory message that violent treatment of animals is acceptable.”

    “As a forerunner in the movement towards humane dog training, we find the excessively rough handling of animals on the show and inhumane training methods to be potentially harmful for the animals and the people on the show,” said the letter’s author, Bill Torgerson, DVM, MBA, who is vice president of Animal Protection Services for American Humane. “It also does a disservice to all the show’s viewers by espousing an inaccurate message about what constitutes effective training and appropriate treatment of animals.”

    Torgerson noted that the safety of a woman and her German shepherd were jeopardized in one episode by the use of an electric shock collar, which forced the tormented dog to redirect its aggression at its owner, biting her arm. “Furthermore, the television audience was never told that Mr. Millan was attempting to modify the dog’s behavior by causing pain with the shock collar,” he said.

    Cesar Milan has enjoyed widespread commercial success with his TV and media career and is currently the most well known animal behaviour expert in the United States.

    In Britain, Jan Fennel is known as ‘the dog whisperer’. The Humane Society attack on Milan does not draw comparison or reference to Britain’s dog whisperer style dog trainers.