You might see the image and think there’s a trick of the camera at play. Well, erm, no. This really is a very sizeable dog we’re looking at. The real pay off here though is the cute little double take the dog gives the camera.
Category: Magazine
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These Dogs Had a Party, Just Look How Happy it Made Them
What happens when you put dogs and cake together? Well, my fellow dog owners can probably imagine, but these photographs, released by The Big Lunch team to promote their one-day get-together annual event, are guaranteed to make you smile.
These hilarious dogs were photographed as the ‘London Big Lunchers’ gathered at Tanner Street Park, Bermondsey, with their dogs for a little dog training session to prepare for the big day on Sunday 12th June this year.
Launched in 2009 by the Eden Project, the aim of The Big Lunch event is to encourage a get-together feeding community spirit and helping to build stronger neighbourhoods with the thinking that by bringing communities together, we can reducing loneliness and isolation.
Alongside the photographs, The Big Lunch team have looked at the effect having a dog has on making new friends in the community and have revealed that a study of 2,000 people looked at the positive social impacts of owning a dog compared with not having one, and over half (55%) admitted they are more likely to start a conversation with someone if they have a dog.
While the average dog owner has six chats a week – 312 a year, with people in the community, as a result of their canine companion, results showed dogs make you more approachable than children it seems – with three in 10 people more likely to start a conversation with someone with a dog than someone with children.
The research also showed the typical dog owner has at least three friends that originated directly from them having their pet.
The results make a valuable argument for the impact owning a dog can have on a person’s social interactions – (75%) say having a dog reduces feelings of loneliness and more than half (52%) say that having a dog improves relationships in the community and that getting a dog is one of the best ways to make friends with neighbours.
Oxford University Professor of Psychology, Robin Dunbar, who worked with The Big Lunch as part of the campaign, spoke about the findings: “Research has shown that owning a dog is a good way of combatting loneliness, both because of the company that such a pet can provide, but also because of the way that other people react to dogs and their owners.
Dunbar continued, “The majority of people (52%) said that having a dog improves relationships in your community, and 71 per cent said that people out on the street are more likely to stop and talk to you if you are walking a dog. This is because when we see someone with a friendly animal, we feel safe with them and feel that they will be happy for us to stop and talk.”
And sometimes the dogs are even more memorable than the owners – four in ten Brits know the names of certain dogs but do not know their owners by name, results showed.
Peter Stewart of The Big Lunch added: “While two thirds of us have never shared a meal with our neighbours, we are more likely to strike up conversation with those with dogs. Hosting or joining a Big Lunch on June 12th is a great way to make new friends, share stories, to have fun, whether you have a canine friend or not – it offers a simple way to make lasting relationships and most Big Lunches are also dog-friendly.”
Find out more about how you can get involved in The Big Lunch event this June online at www.thebiglunch.com
Have these dogs inspired you to get a dog?
If you’re thinking about bringing a dog into your home, why not consider adopting – visit our sister site, dogsblog.com today.
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See The Joy as Beagles Freed From Testing Facility Taste Freedom for the First Time
Witness the amazing scenes when these 156 Beagles were freed from an animal testing facility. See their joy as they experience real sunlight and the freedom to run around for the first time in their lives.
The beagles, aged between two and five years old, were captured and caged for testing purposes for a Bangalore-based pharmaceutical laboratory. The directive to release the animals came from the Committee for the Purpose Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals, which is tasked to monitor any activity relating to animal lab testing and experiments.
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Have You Heard About the Bat Dogs Upstaging Baseball Giants, Like A-Rod?
Trenton, New Jersey is home to the minor baseball league team, Trenton Thunder. This team is not only known for its affiliation to the giants of the sport, the New York Yankees, but it’s also known for its family of ‘bat dogs’ who work alongside the team retrieving bats and balls before returning them to the Thunder dugout at home games.
Here’s A-Rod having fun with one of the team’s mascots during his 2013 rehab assignment with the club.
And again this week:
Photo Credit: Twitter.com/E_LipsmanThe dynasty of bat dogs began with a special boy named Chase, also known as ‘That Golden Thunder’ who served with the team for around 13 years before retiring in July 2013.
Chase, pictured above, at his retirement ceremony three days before he passed awayHis successor was his son named ‘Home Run Derby’, or Derby for short, and named by the fans, showing just how much affection fans have for their four-legged team members.
Derby is now joined by his son, Rookie, on the field at home games.
Watch Derby and the latest recruit, Rookie in action:
How cool! This team and its fans really do go all out to celebrate their canine teammates – and we love it!
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Scrap Breed Specific Legislation & Reform Dangerous Dogs Act – Hard Hitting New Report
MPs and stars back call for tough penalties and ‘national register’ to tackle offence ‘which is gateway to drug and gun crime’
Dogs slammed into walls to toughen them up for fighting, cats and dogs used as ‘bait’ to train fighting dogs, dead dogs dumped in the countryside – these are among the disturbing findings of a ground-breaking investigation into dog fighting in the UK today.
Developed and instigated by the League Against Cruel Sports as part of its campaign to end dog fighting in the UK, Project Bloodline was a six month investigation designed to understand why, when and where dog fighting takes place – and how we can stop it.
Working collaboratively with 60 partners in a ‘typical’ UK urban area, the League Against Cruel Sports unearthed intelligence which included:
- Prohibited dogs bred and sold in a clandestine market in order to supply the high demand for status and fighting dogs with Pitbull ‘type’ puppies being sold for £1,000
- Before a fight has even taken place animals are left severely injured or are even killed having been subjected to brutal training methods including body or head slamming
- A feral cat colony being kept to supply ‘bait’ for dog fighting
- A Staffordshire Bull Terrier which had been used for ‘bait’ had its teeth crudely pulled and broken with pliers so that it could not defend itself
- The bodies of dead dogs, which had been used for fighting, dumped near farmland
Eduardo Gonçalves, CEO of the League Against Cruel Sports, who will be launching the report of Project Bloodline in Parliament on Tuesday, 24th May, said:
“If anyone thinks dog fighting is a thing of the past, then sadly they are wrong. Last year we commissioned a ground-breaking academic report which said that a dog fight was taking place every day in the UK. This year we’ve taken to the streets to find out exactly what was happening, and the results are frightening.
“Dogs are being bred and sold specifically for fighting, pet animals are being used to provide a steady supply of torture victims for cruel training exercises where they are tethered down or used as dangling ‘bait’ for dogs being trained to fight for ‘fun’ – the cruelty behind this underground world is endless and it’s happening right under our noses.
“We want appropriate penalties to be introduced, and for appropriate action to be taken against perpetrators. Dog fighting is barbaric and we cannot allow it to be part of a modern Britain.”
Ricky Gervais in response to the League’s findings said:
“I am deeply saddened to hear that illegal dog fighting is apparently on the rise in the UK. Anyone who likes the spectacle of two terrified animals fighting is a psychopath. Dogs are naturally loyal friends, who have to be abused and mistreated to act in this way. They don’t want to be part of this. They are literally fighting for survival. Please never attend anything like this and if you suspect such a disgusting event may be taking place somewhere, then please report it immediately. This has to stop.”A ‘gateway’ crime
Dog fighting is not purely a matter of animal welfare. Evidence from the UK and abroad points to the activity being a ‘gateway’ crime to serious and organised offences, such as drug and gun crime. In the United States dog fighting is recognised as a Grade A felony by the FBI and the practice of tackling dog fighting to prevent other crimes is well established.
The League Against Cruel Sports worked closely with Michelle Welch, Virginia’s Assistant Attorney General, who has vast experience of tackling dog fighting in the USA. She said:
“Dog fighting is a major crime that here in the States is closely linked with a wide range of other law-breaking. Statistics show that more than half of those connected with dog fighting are gang members, and seven out of ten have previously been arrested for felonies and/or drug offences. Where there is dog fighting, there are drugs.
“Dog fighting is hidden, so the work being done in the UK by the League Against Cruel Sports is exactly what needs to happen. Collaboration between agencies, strong penalties and a greater understanding of the level of this activity is vital. The League Against Cruel Sports should be commended for Project Bloodline as without this kind of work, dog fighting will grow and have an ever-increasing negative impact on individuals, communities, and of course on the dogs.”The Way Forward – PUP
Based on the intelligence and experience gathered from Project Bloodline, the League Against Cruel Sports is calling for the implementation of a national dog fighting action plan which can be rolled out in any area where dog fighting is prevalent.
Based around three areas of Prevention, Understanding and Prosecution (PUP), recommendations include:
- The formation of a National Task Force, led by a senior figure in Government, to ensure sufficient collaboration and action takes place to tackle dog fighting across the country.
- Details of individuals banned from keeping dogs should be held on a national register by statutory agencies, helping to prevent further offences being committed whilst increasing opportunities for enforcement action.
- Legislation and penalties for offenders must be clarified and strengthened; the League is calling for a minimum three year custodial sentence for convicted dog fighters. Sentencing should reflect the spectrum of offending in relation to dog fighting (from street level dog fighting to organised crime). Rehabilitation programmes should be offered as part of the sentencing mix.
- The Dangerous Dog Act should be reviewed as a matter of urgency as we believe breed specific legislation is fundamentally flawed.
Celebrity and political support for campaign
The League’s campaign to end dog fighting in the UK has been backed by a list of celebrities and cross party MPs including: Ricky Gervais, Amanda Holden, Paul O’Grady, Russell Tovey, Nicky Campbell, Peter Egan, Tony Robinson, Bill Oddie, Dave Spikey, Marc Abraham, Alison Steadman, Ben Fogle, Gemma Atkinson, Carol Royle, Henry Smith MP for Crawley and Co-Chair of the All-Party Group for Animal Welfare, Kelvin Hopkins MP for Luton North, John Pugh MP for Southport, Margaret Ritchie MP for South Down, member of the Commons Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Committee and Lisa Cameron, MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow.
Commenting on the issue and the League’s campaign, Henry Smith MP, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare said:
“Dog fighting is an abhorrent pastime belonging to the past. Convicted perpetrators need to face appropriate punishments, however currently our courts lack the vital power to impose these – this needs to change if we have any chance of stopping dog fighting for good.
“I support the League Against Cruel Sports with their campaign to both increase the available custodial sentences to at least three years and their call for a national register of animal abusers.”
Britain’s Got Talent judge, Amanda Holden said: “I can’t think of many things worse than making two dogs fight each other. Dogs are loving animals, to abuse them like this is horrific.”
Eduardo Gonçalves concluded:
“Dog fighting is one of the most serious animal welfare issues in Britain today and it is also a serious issue of crime and community safety. Animal abuse has consistently been shown to be a reliable predictor of some of the most serious and most violent crimes in the community, including child abuse, domestic violence and abuse of the elderly.”
The League Against Cruel Sports believes there has been a resurgence in dog fighting in urban areas in the UK. A range of different factors have led to this conclusion, including the results of Project Bloodline, increases in UK hospital admissions due to dog bites, increases in the number of muscly dogs on the streets and the apparent growth in the number of stolen dogs, possibly used for bait. Dog fighting might not be easy to see, but we ignore this evidence at our peril.
“The League will now be stepping up its ongoing investigation into dog fighting in Britain. We will be stepping up engagement with local communities to prevent those at risk from being drawn in. We will be doing further research to help policy-makers and law enforcement agencies better understand the causes, and the potential solutions. We will be partnering with a range of agencies to support the rehabilitation of rescued dogs.”
The League Against Cruel Sports has started a petition calling for the government to more effectively tackle dog fighting, including increasing sentences for convicted dog fighters. The petition can be signed at www.league.org.uk/dogfighting.
Anyone with information about dog fighting taking place in their community can confidentially contact the League Against Cruel Sports Animal Crimewatch service on 01483 361108 or at www.league.org.uk/crimewatch.
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WATCH: Celebrities Speak Out for Dogs in Support of #StopYulin Campaign
Dog loving celebrities Alesha Dixon, Professor Green and Will Young have taken a stand and spoken out in support of the #StopYulin campaign urging China to end the festival and the cruel dog meat trade, which sees more than 10 million dogs killed every year across China.
Watch the Video:
Most people in China don’t eat dogs, and as the Yulin festival approaches, protests and candlelit vigils are expected to take place across the country. On 14 May in China’s city of Dalian, 100,000 people protested against the Yulin festival. Dog lovers in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Dalian are increasingly angered by dog thieves who steal their pets for the meat trade.
Claire Bass, executive director of HSI/UK, said: “We hope to gather millions of signatures against the grisly Yulin festival. Across the world, people are uniting to urge Xi Jingping to direct resources to end the cruel and largely illegal dog meat trade. Our call for action will only get stronger, as we stand united with our Chinese partner groups in saying we must #StopYulin.”
You can support the #StopYulin campaign by sharing and signing HSI’s #StopYulin petition at www.hsi.org/stopyulin
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WATCH: Meet the Service Dog Who Is Teaching Disabled Children to Surf
We all know how great dogs can be and the role they can play in our lives giving support and comfort whenever needed. They’re always there for us, and some dogs go above and beyond learning skills that set them on the path to become a service dog helping many along the way.
Meet Surf Dog Ricochet whose journey began as a service dog before becoming one of the world’s most famous, award winning surf dogs who surfs for fun, wins dog surfing competitions and most importantly, surfs with purpose helping those she meets along the way.
As the Canine Ambassador for Surfers with Disabilities℠, she’s the only SURFice dog® on the planet who provides therapeutic assistance while creating unique surfing experiences that empower kids with special needs, people with disabilities, wounded warriors and veterans with PTSD.
Watch the Video:
Judy Fridono, who trained puppy prodigy Ricochet, told us: “This service dog to SURFice dog story is about what we all want – to be encouraged to discover who we really are…to find our life purpose…and to be celebrated for being different.”
This surf-loving dog, Ricochet, gives us some serious life goals.
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The Dog Breeding Reform Group Supports Vets in Call for Brachycephalic Breed Action
The Dog Breeding Reform Group (DBRG) has welcomed moves by the veterinary community calling for action to tackle the serious health issues facing brachycephalic breeds. An online petition launched on Monday has already attracted hundreds of signatures.
Chris Laurence MBE, DBRG Trustee and former veterinary director of the Dogs Trust who has signed the petition, says: “Vets in companion animal practice see dogs with inherited breathing difficulty almost every day and are frustrated that there seems to be no end to the daily suffering of these breeds. The DBRG is delighted that vets are now getting together to highlight the issue and to plead with breeders to stop producing puppies with such malformed heads that they are unable to breathe easily.“
Olive the Pug Dr Rowena Packer from the Royal Veterinary College and also a DBRG member, whose main area of research interest is brachycephalic health, believes the petition is good news. “There is clear evidence that short muzzles are linked with several problems of major welfare concern, including not only breathing but also eye, skin and dental disorders,” she says.
“We now need to put this evidence into action and move away from these extreme body shapes for the sake of many thousands of brachycephalic dogs internationally who suffer as a result of their look,” she continues.
DBRG’s founder Carol Fowler says. “In 2008 Professor Steve Jones, of University College London, talked of a ‘universe of suffering’ for many dog breeds. Brachycephalic breeds have the additional burden of a conformation that can lead to a lifetime of suffering.”
The petition’s launch comes days after long-time canine health campaigner Jemima Harrison wrote an open letter to UK vets urging them to put their heads “above the parapet” and make a stand, describing brachycephalic health issues as an “epidemic”.
Brachycephalic breeds have experienced a huge surge in popularity. The Kennel Club has seen a five-fold increase in registrations of pugs since 2005 and a whopping 4000 per cent increase in the numbers of French bulldogs.
The PDSA PAW Report, 2015, states that health issues related to pedigree breeding was the third highest concern of owners relating to pet welfare. “Ordinary pet owners and dog lovers can protest as much as they like but few people listen, especially those with the power to instigate change such as breed clubs and the Kennel Club. Now that vets are daring to speak out, I sincerely hope we will start to see real and meaningful change,” says DBRG’s Carol Fowler.
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Animal Welfare Charity Calls on Govt to Consider Firework Restrictions
The UK’s largest dog welfare charity is appealing to MPs to support a call for the use of fireworks to be restricted in the interests of animal welfare.
The subject is to be debated by Members of Parliament on Monday (23 May) after a petition by the Firework Abatement Campaign attracted more than 100,000 signatures. The petition is calling for fireworks use by the general public to only be permitted on Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year. However, Dogs Trust is supportive of introducing further restrictions around the sale of fireworks, limiting them to licensed, public occasions at certain times of the year.
Dogs Trust Veterinary Director, Paula Boyden, said: “For many dogs and their owners, firework season is always one they dread. A Dogs Trust survey of 3,750 pet owners found that two-thirds of dogs are worried by fireworks and that 93% of their owners alter their routine, such as walking their dogs only in daylight hours, to try to minimise the trauma on their pets.”
Currently fireworks can be set off by any adult between 7am and 11pm every day of the year on private land, such as in a garden, or on land where the owner’s permission has been given. On Bonfire Night the cut off time is extended until midnight and on New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, it is extended until 1am.
The charity is also asking local authorities to give more consideration to the location of public fireworks displays when granting licences and to ensure they are well publicised in the local area so dog owners can avoid them.
Boyden continued, “The current law offers no support to dogs and their owners, with fireworks legally set off often unexpectedly all through the year. We sincerely hope Members of Parliament take this opportunity to extend restrictions on firework sale and use and help protect the welfare of many scared dogs.”
Dogs Trust urges all dog owners to take preventative measures to prepare their dogs for the noise of fireworks and offers advice and support to dog owners to help keep their dog as stress-free as possible. The charity has worked with vets Sarah Heath and Jon Bowen to offer a free sound based treatment programme, The Sounds Scary Audio Therapy Programme. The Programme prepares dogs for distressing noises, such as fireworks, by playing specific noises to enable dogs to get used to the sounds and cope better.
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If Your Dog Has THIS Name… Beware! (& it’s a popular name too!)
Unlucky dog names. Whoever heard of such a thing? Well how about this. There is one specific name that might just make you consider re-naming your pet before disaster strikes. Oh and be warned. It’s a really (really) popular dog name too.
Hapless hounds with this particular name are nearly SIX times more likely to be the subject of pet insurance claims than pets named Luna – (which is said to be the nation’s luckiest name), according to research carried out by a company that holds data on which pets are being seen by vets regularly.
Claims made for calamitous canines with this unlucky moniker include everything from emergency treatment for injuries such as those caused by playing fetch with sticks and eating things they shouldn’t, to serious diseases such as cancer and lifelong illnesses like epilepsy.
Also on the ill-fated unlucky list were pets called Cassie, Henry, Tia and Buster, who were all up to five times more likely to be the subject of pet insurance claims than lucky Luna. At the more fortunate end of the scale, Luna was joined by Olly, Skye, Freddie, Coco and Paddy in being the least likely to need an insurance claim.
And the decidedly dodgy doggy denomination?
Do you really want to know?
Would you not be happier being in the dark?
What about if it’s the name of YOUR dog?
OK.
You’ve been warned. Look away now if you’d rather steer clear of this….
…it’s
Bruno
Richard Hooker, PDSA’s (who carried out the research) Director of Veterinary Services, said: “It’s a mystery why pets named Bruno seem to have an unfair share of misfortune. The difference between their insurance claim rates and pets called Luna is baffling. Clearly, any pet can be involved in an accident or become ill so, whatever your pet is called, taking out pet insurance is the best way to protect them and avoid unwanted vet’s bills.”
The average insurance claim for pets is £440.01, although this rises to £625.51 for third party claims for damage. Claims can include everything from traumatic injuries due to traffic accidents, falls and fighting, to surgical removal of objects pets have eaten, including tennis balls, socks and even sunglasses!
Richard added: “Even the most well-trained dog or home-loving cat can get into plenty of mischief, landing you with an unexpected trip to the vets. Illnesses can also strike without warning, and some diseases such as diabetes, epilepsy and heart disease can require life-long treatment.”
Unlucky pets – the facts
The rankings were calculated by comparing the number of claims made against the total number of policies for each name. For example, for every pet named Bruno there were two claims over a four-year period, while for every pet named Luna there were just 0.3 claims in the same period.
Top ten unluckiest pet names:
- Bruno
- Cassie
- Jake
- Izzy
- Henry
- Tia
- Dylan
- Buster
- Sam
- Jess
Top ten luckiest pet names:
- Luna
- Olly
- Skye
- Freddie
- Paddy
- Ted
- Bertie
- Coco
- Minnie
- Teddy
Data analysed from PDSA Petsurance policies between 2012 and 2015, comparing claims made by the top 100 pet names. Average figures from claims settled between 01/01/2015 and 31/12/2015. Pre-existing conditions or illnesses are not covered
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Dogs Can Get Skin Cancer Too – What All Owners Should Know
Vet charity PDSA is urging pet owners to keep their animals safe in the sun after revealing its vets treated nearly 30 cases of skin cancer last year (2015).
With temperatures set to soar to as high as 25°C (77°F) this weekend, the charity’s vets are warning that it’s not just humans who need protecting from the sun’s harmful rays.
PDSA pet hospitals saw 29 cases of skin cancer between summer 2014 and 2015, the overwhelming majority of which were cats. The charity also treated dozens of cats and dogs for sunburn.
PDSA vet Vicki Larkham-Jones has stressed the dangers of sun exposure to pets.
She said: “Most people are aware of the risks of sunburn, heat stroke and skin cancer to people but most owners are unaware that our pets face the same dangers.
“Our statistics show we treat a number of pets each year suffering from these conditions. Light coloured pets and those with thin coats, such as whippets and cats with white ears and noses are at highest risk as they have less natural protection against UV radiation from the sun.
“With a little more awareness and some basic precautions, we can keep our pets safer in sunny weather. And thanks to funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery we’re able to reach more pet owners with this potentially life-saving advice.”
How To Keep Dogs Safe in the Sun
- Limit their exposure to direct sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day
- Use pet sun cream on white or thin fur, on the nose, ears and other vulnerable areas
- See a vet urgently if you notice ulcers or sores on your pet’s skin. Early diagnosis and treatment may save your pet’s life.
If a pet is diagnosed with skin cancer, the most common form of treatment is removal of the tumour. Some forms of the disease may be treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy which may be used alone or in combination with surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment may increase a pet’s chances of survival.
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A Dog Version of Crohn’s Disease Could be Treatable
A biotech firm has announced positive results in its attempts to treat dogs suffering with a condition that shares similar characteristics to in humans.
Ocata Therapeutics, Inc, a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, and its collaborators reported in the Regenerative Medicine journal that it has successfully used its proprietary hemangio-derived mesenchymal cell (HMCTM) technology to treat dogs with canine anal furunculosis (CAF), which shares many features with Crohn’s disease.
“This study provides the first evidence of the safety and therapeutic potential of human pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a large animal model,” said Robert Lanza, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Ocata. “Canines have a physiology and sophisticated immune system that closely resembles that of humans, and canines are the only species that naturally develop symptoms and pathology similar to human fistulizing Crohn’s disease, including recurrent fistula activity, a difficult-to-treat manifestation of this chronic inflammatory bowel disorder. We treated six canines that were refractory to standard treatment, including cyclosporine therapy, and all of the canines were found to be completely free of fistulas at three months post-injection.”
Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder that affects an estimated 1.0 to 1.3 million Americans. A combination of environmental and genetic factors is thought to lead to an autoimmune attack against cells of the gastrointestinal tract or associated microbial antigens. Affected regions of the GI tract vary from patient to patient and ulceration with cutaneous or recto-cutaneous fistulae within the perianal tissues is present in up to a third of CD patients. The most widely used treatments for CD-associated perianal fistulas include antibiotics and immune-suppressants such as azathioprine and cyclosporine, yet long-term use comes with serious adverse effects or potential reemergence of fistulas upon dose-lowering.
“Ocata has developed a mesenchymal stem cell population from its proprietary hESC-derived hemangioblasts called HMCs, which are a self-renewing source of starting material, capable of generating a significant supply of minimally expanded cells with potent immunomodulatory and therapeutic properties,” said Paul K. Wotton, President and CEO who added “This successful study, along with other work we have conducted, provides a unique platform that can potentially be used to target significant autoimmune related disorders with high unmet needs such as Crohn’s disease and Lupus Nephritis.”
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See Amazing Footage of Labradors Fishing for Lobster
If ever I were to be in the heavenly/hellish position of being stranded on a desert island, apart from a speedboat, the one luxury I’d like to have with me would be a dog. Probably a Labrador, to be specific about it.
Not only do you get the companionship which may, if you’re that way inclined, tempt you in to abandoning any effort to flee the island, but also their extraordinary ability to prove over and over again why they have earned the title of man’s best friend.
Labradors have a long and storied relationship with the water. The first St. John’s dog – an early forbearer of the breed we now recognise as the Labrador Retriever – was said to have been brought to England in or around 1820, but the breed’s reputation had already spread to these shores; there is a story that the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury saw a St. John’s dog on a fishing boat and immediately made arrangements with traders to have some of these dogs imported to England. These ancestors of the first Labradors so impressed the Earl with their skill and ability for retrieving anything within the water and on shore that he devoted his entire kennel to developing and stabilizing the breed.
Despite many centuries of selective breeding and a controlled evolution of the breed in to a dog perfectly crafted as a sporting companion, the Labrador can still fish. Here, watch….
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RSPCA Backs Calls for Urgent Action on Breeding Dogs With Breathing Problems
The RSPCA’s chief veterinary officer has backed a petition calling for “urgent action” to address the growing number of dogs coming into clinics across the country with breathing problems.
James Yeates signed the petition – which has, so far, attracted more than 1,100 signatures – and has circulated it amongst the animal welfare charity’s other vets and veterinary nurses in England and Wales.
1. Nasal Cavity 2. Oral Cavity3. Soft Palate 4. Pharynx 5. Larynx 6. Trachea7. Esophagus 8. Nasopharynx 9. Hard Palate The petition (available here) calls for a working party to tackle the issues associated with brachycephaly in dogs. It is often seen in flat-faced breeds such as pugs and bulldogs.
James said: “The evidence is clear and obvious enough even to non-vets. The ability to breathe, exercise and keep cool are fairly basic requirements for us to expect every dog to have.
“Of course, brachycephaly is just one of many breed-related health problems in pedigree and purebred dogs.
“Members of the public expect those who breed dogs to have done everything they can to ensure the animals they sell are fit for a happy life as a beloved pet. Although some progress has been made by the dog world to address these issues, it has not been nearly enough.
“We would be very keen to work alongside the British Veterinary Association, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, The Kennel Club, Animal Health Trust and others as a working party to work out how we can safeguard animal health.”
The RSPCA remain concerned that many pedigree dogs are still suffering because they’re bred and judged primarily for how they look rather than with health, welfare and temperament in mind. For example, dogs with short, flat faces often have narrow nostrils and abnormally developed windpipes. They can suffer severe breathing difficulties and many have difficulty enjoying a walk or playing.
More urgently needs to be done to protect the future health of dogs and the RSPCA believes that all those who breed dogs should prioritise health, welfare and temperament over appearance when choosing which animals to breed, in order to protect the welfare of both the parents and offspring.
In order to win dog shows, pedigree dogs have been bred to emphasise certain physical features in accordance with breed standards. The dog most closely matching its breed standard is awarded the winner. Many breed standards include exaggerated physical features, some of which have become so extreme that they can cause pain and suffering, some make dogs prone to particular disorders, and some prevent them from behaving normally.
We believe that the breed standards need urgent review so that they prioritise the health, welfare and temperament of the dogs over their looks, and we would welcome the creation of a working party to look into ways to tackle this issue head-on. We’d be very keen in working with others to ensure welfare is of primary concern to all dog breeders, buyers and show judges, and that future generations of dogs are happy and healthy.
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WATCH: This Bulldog Looks Like He’s Having the Best Day!
There’s a saying “If you fall, get back up. That’s what life is about” and I’ll be honest, this video reminded me of that. This dog seems to be having a whale of a time getting on with things.
Watch the Video:
So what does he teach us? Live life on your own terms. Have fun. Get back up and do it all over again.
Happy Monday!