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Whippet good!

We indulge our sighthound crush

Richmond Park rift Pro-walkers fight proposed four-dogs rule

Great debate Are twins too much to handle?

DogsToday A nose for news, easy on the eye and a heart of gold ❤

Noel, rescue me!

Supervet’s new TV adoption show Austerity bites The need for dog foodbanks

Animal Welfare Act tested Could it end puppy farming?

Cover star Pitp Our firs DogFest winner

Hot topic Do cooling coats really work?

Investment pupportunity Could your dog become a steak holder?

Dogs on the front line

September 2017

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Dear readers...

I had hoped that this month we would be reporting on a huge step forward in the fight against the exploitation of dogs...

Beverley Cuddy is Dogs Today’s Editor and publisher. She shares her life with Tess, a gorgeous rescued English Springer from Dogs Trust, Oscar, a very handsome Bearded Collie and newest pack member, Betty, an Old English x Golden Retrieverish dog from Many Tears. All three are firm friends and partners in crime.

Words: Beverley Cuddy

started covering the David and Goliath battle between a rescue charity and a council responsible for licensing a puppy farm, I was expecting we’d be seeing a legal precedent set that would bring an end to legal breeding slavery. Read our feature on page 16. (Spoiler alert, this time Goliath wins.)

It is therefore especially fitting that this month we welcome a very important new contributor, the eminent Professor John Cooper QC. We awarded this courageous legal expert an Unsung Hero award at the recent DogFest and there has never been more of a need for the dog to have influential friends in high places. John always sticks up for the underdog and, sadly, that is what canines are in today’s society.

We also report this month on a new TV venture by our dear Supervet friend Professor Noel Fitzpatrick.

Not content in putting dogs back together in amazing ways, he’s set his sights on finding the needy ones new homes. He must have a twin or a clone, as no one

person could possibly do all the amazing things he gets up to!

We’ve been up to all sorts this month, too. We’ve made our first movie! We hope you like it. It’s only a short film – but in dog years, it’s an epic.

Do read the inside story on page 32.

And look who we have on the front cover! Only the first of our Cover Star winners from DogFest! Well done to Penel Malby for getting on the case super quick. What a stunner!

When we were close to going to press, we heard some very sad news about one of our former cover models, Britain’s Got Talent winner Pudsey. He very sadly lost his battle with blood cancer at the tender age of 11, breaking Ashleigh’s heart and the nation’s, too.

What a wonderful partnership they had. Anyone who understands dog body language knows how much he enjoyed performing.

Someone who really should know better made a crass remark on Twitter that caused a lot of offence, implying that somehow dogs like Pudsey are exploited. I

think we should feel sorry for the clever dogs who aren’t given a chance to use their brains; Pudsey was one of the happiest dogs I’ve ever seen.

On our little movie set, it was a delight to see all the dogs wanting to be the one to do the action in each scene. I am sure most humans don’t enjoy their work anywhere near as much!

I am sure we all send Ashleigh our love; Pudsey was obviously adored and will never be forgotten. r LOVING AND LOYAL Hovawarts as pets

KAREN WILD On dogs that don’t like other dogs!

PULLING POWER? Why do so many huskies end up in rescue?

SARAH WHITEHEAD Gets her teeth into chewing!

VICTORIA STILWELL Advises on poo peckish pups

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Inside

53 dogs looking for love

Tracks of our tears Inadequate railway fencing kills dogs

and some of those who have found it...

Ashleigh and Pudsey celebration edition

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25/05/2012 19:55

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Inside this month...

8

K-nine news 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 42

Send in the emergency dogs Richmond’s walking laws bite Puppy farming court contest Adoptathon! Supervet’s new series Protests unite against BSL Britain’s foodbanks, now for pets How to make a viral video John Cooper QC’s inaugural column We meet Staffie police dog Roxy Great Debate: should you have two pups from the same litter?

Features

20

48 50 80 67 98

Q and A: How do you add a dog to a household?

Dog Crush: the Whippet The greatest dog photographers in the world Richard Allport’s expert mistrust Dr Daniel Allen’s extraordinary dogs

Training and behaviour 63 76 84 88

32

Victoria Stilwell’s nutrition nitty-gritty Mind games to keep dogs mentally active Karen Wild’s guide to summer picnics True Case: a rescue nipper is set straight

50

80

Turn over for more...

4

Contents.indd 4

Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 10:54

Teddy’s always by my side Four years ago, cuddly bear of a Staffie Teddy was rehomed with the Robertson family after spending time at Battersea’s London and Brands Hatch centres.

Jack said, “Teddy and I are best mates. Anywhere I am, he’s right there with me. When I’m sad he always knows ‑ he really is as soft as cotton wool. In a way he’s saved my life; we’ve saved each other’s lives. I couldn’t be without him.”

Meet your new best friend at

battersea.org.uk

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46

...and there’s more!

DogsToday The ethical pet magazine for people who really care about dogs Facebook: Dogs Today

Editorial Editor: Beverley Cuddy

@beverleycuddy @Dogs_Today

Art Director: Rosie Peace Chief Sub Editor/Contributing Editor: Claire Horton-Bussey Deputy Editor: Victoria Heywood News Editor: Alessandra Pacelli

Celebrity

45

46 Take Ten with MSP Emma

Roving Reporters: Owen & Haatchi

Advertising & sponsorship

Competitions

Advertising & Sponsorship Manager: Rob Starbuck 01276 858880

45 Win tickets to 79 Fun page 87 Crossword

Office dogs

70

Rescue Me 70 Lurchers left in the cold 72 Painted Ruby’s story 74 Gotcha! Your rescue

Talking Dogs Over to you Appeals

Oscar (Bearded Collie); Tess (English Springer Spaniel); Betty (Old English x Golden Retriever-ish); Nancy (Staffordshire Bull Terrier); Madi (collie cross); Benji (Lurcher); Isla (Lurcher); Beth, Grace, Justine & Poison Ivy (Newfoundlands); Sophie (Jack Russell); Sterling (Italian Greyhound x Whippet); Jack (Golden Retriever) Betty’s Personal Trainer: Kirsten Dillon IMDT A.Dip CBM

stories

56 58 60 61 62

Illustrator: Kevin Brockbank Junior Designer: Su Richards

Harper and Maya, the first Holyrood Dog of the Year

Discover Dogs

Features Editor: Megan Chapple

62

Dogs Today, Pet Subjects Ltd, The Old Print House, 62 The High Street, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AA 01276 858880 01276 858860 enquiries@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk www.dogstodaymagazine.co.uk

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Obituaries Insurance questions

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Managing Director: Beverley Cuddy (beverley@petsubjects.co.uk)

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Head of online content and production: Sam Gosheron 01276 858880 (sam@petsubjects.co.uk)

26 How to subscribe and save

Subscriptions On the cover Our cover model this month is little Pip, a ‘Schack’ or Schnauzer-Jack Russell cross, pictured here at just 11 months old. Pip is owned

by Doris Jones, who entered him in our DogFest cover model competition, and won at the show in Cheshire in June. Doris told us that Pip is the happiest and liveliest dog, who adores playing with children – and he has even helped her lose weight with all his energy!

(www.penelopemalbyphotography.co.uk) Photo by: Penel Malby (www.penelopemalbyphotography.co.uk Next issue on sale: Thursday 14 September To download Dogs Today for iPad - go to the App store. It is also available for other formats including android and PC at Pocket Mags 6

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For subscription queries call Pet Subjects on 01276 858880 or email subs@dogs todaymagazine.co.uk. Initial subscription rates: UK & BFPO: 6 issues ÂŁ20, 12 issues ÂŁ36, 24 issues ÂŁ60, 48 issues ÂŁ105; EU countries: 6 issues ÂŁ23, 12 issues ÂŁ45, 24 issues ÂŁ72, 48 issues ÂŁ127; Rest of the world (airmail): 6 issues ÂŁ35, 12 issues ÂŁ61, 24 issues ÂŁ97, 48 issues ÂŁ172. Subscription rates on renewal: UK & BFPO: 6 issues ÂŁ17, 12 issues ÂŁ33, 24 issues ÂŁ57; EU countries: 6 issues ÂŁ22, 12 issues ÂŁ43, 24 issues ÂŁ70; Rest of the world (airmail): 6 issues ÂŁ33, 12 issues ÂŁ58, 24 issues ÂŁ95.

The editor is always pleased to consider articles and photos from freelancers.

However, there is often a considerable delay before material can be assessed.

Please include an SAE if you want your work returned. While every care will be taken, no responsibility for loss or damage can be accepted.

Competition sponsors and their families are not eligible for any competition.

Dogs Today incorporating Perfect Pup is published monthly by Pet Subjects Ltd, The Old Print House, 62 The High St, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AA. Tel 01276 858880 Registered as a newspaper for transmission in the UK. Pet Subjects Ltd reg. office: R. A. McLeod Accountants, 10 Portland Business Centre, Datchet, Berks SL3 9BD Distributed by Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 2nd Floor, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU. Tel: 020 3148 3333. www.marketforce.co.uk Printed in the UK by Warners (Midlands) plc. Š 2017 Dogs Today. The world copyright of the editorial matter, both illustrations and text, is strictly reserved.

Dogs Today September 2017

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K-nine news 2017 has not been a quiet year for Britain; for weeks it seemed there would be no let-up in rolling news coverage of our latest tragedy. After every incident, we were consumed in analysis and political argument – all the while our dedicated emergency services worked tirelessly. In this feature, we meet the disaster dogs, always ready to work in the aftermath – however dangerous or demanding…

y c n e g r Eme s g o d e c i v r e s Terror

P

eter Beale has been a police officer for 16 years and has spent the last nine as a dog handler for the British Transport Police.

By his side is Bobby, a sevenyear-old black Labrador, described by Peter as hardworking yet headstrong.

Bobby is an explosives search dog with two key roles – proactive and passive searching. Proactive searching is your more common role, in which the dog covers a route, structure or vehicle. Passive searching is a much rarer skill in a police dog; Bobby can ‘body scan’ individuals who may be concealing explosive devices about their person, and Peter believes only around four dogs in the country are currently trained to do this. It is becoming more commonplace, through; all new search

8

1_Emergency Dogs.indd 8

dogs coming in to the British Transport Police will be given this training in recognition of a growing threat.

Bobby is well suited to passive searching: he’s a taller dog, with the height required to search a standing person, as opposed to the smaller, wrigglier spaniels who can search out nooks and crannies in houses and cars with ease.

Call of duty Bobby and Peter are the perfect team – something they proved one night in June at the site of the London Bridge terror attack. Late in the evening of 3 June, a van ploughed into pedestrians, and three individuals with knives launched an assault on the public in Borough Market before being shot dead. Peter told us how he and Bobby came to react...

“I’d been on duty since one o’clock in the afternoon on Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:01

Words: Victoria Heywood

“

Bobby can ‘body scan’ individuals who may be concealing explosive devices about their person, and Peter believes only around four dogs in the country are currently trained to do this

a late shift, and the incident started as I had booked off duty and was heading north on my way home from London.

“When I realised what was happening, I booked back on duty and headed back to London.

“The incident was initially reported as a gang fight with weapons; there is often this confusion when receiving calls from the general public.

“I turned up with another handler, who had been at the Epsom races. We’d had a lot on that weekend with the Epsom races and the Euro Cup final in Cardiff.”

When Peter and Bobby reached the site, the area was already cordoned off and the casualties were being dealt with, but calls were still coming in over the radio. They managed to get to the rendezvous point and deployed out, as at the time it was thought there was still one active suspect at large as well as a possible IED (improvised explosive device) threat.

Peter explains, “Our first deployment was dealing with the civilians all still hidden in the bars and restaurants, in the cellars and other areas.

Dogs Today September 2017

1_Emergency Dogs.indd 9

”

You’ve seen the footage of people coming out with their hands on their heads?

We needed to find if any suspect was integrated in with them, and Bobby’s first task was people scanning – the passive searching.”

After the civilians had been safely cleared, it was just police and any possible remaining suspects in the area. Peter, Bobby and the team went from building to building, securing each one by one.

Stamina “Having initially clocked off at one in the afternoon that day, we were still kicking in doors at nine the next morning,” says Peter. “It was a very long day, around 23 hours.

“I have to say, Bobby worked magnificently. He did everything I could have asked for, even when the special forces did a controlled explosion. That can be unsettling for any dog, and you need to be able to calm your dog and take him out if needed. Dog welfare is key to what we do.”

Bobby was working alongside five other brave canines that night – a generalpurpose dog, a Malinois

named Tara, handled by PC Curry, a shepherd cross named Marci, handled by PC Billany, Jax, another Malinois, handled by PC Howorth, and German Shepherd Rocky, handled by PC Spencer.

Two of the dogs, Marci and Jax, were among the first on the scene, having been the closest generalpurpose dogs to respond with their handlers. They had to dive right into the mayhem in the aftermath of the van crash and help deal with the horrendous injuries inflicted by the collision.

Working that night has only deepened Peter’s respect for the dog by his side. At other incidents this year, too, such as the attack on Westminster in March and the Manchester Arena bombing in May, police dogs have played extraordinary roles.

“These dogs are worth their weight in gold, and when anyone asks to see a police dog in action, it brings it home how vital they are.

They can do the job of 10 officers.

“With Westminster, it was non-reported. People forget there was an IED threat outstanding and British Transport Police dogs had to clear the area. We don’t get the credit these dogs deserve.

“At Manchester, the British Transport Police were on the scene in minutes to clear for secondary devices; you can’t send in all the emergency workers and first responders and have another explosion.

The ambulances were all waiting outside the arena.

“Lots of people don’t understand that to do a building search would take people hours – a dog can do it in minutes. A handler and dog have to walk into these situations in any given moment.

“It’s an all-consuming job; living with the dog, you are never away from it. But like any police officer, you never switch off from it.”

Fire

T

here was collective national shock when we woke up to the images of the looming black burned-out building of Grenfell Tower. As we learned that perhaps 100 individuals had lost their lives in the blaze on the night of 14 June, firefighters had been working for hours on end, their exhausted faces shown to millions on social media as the public shared their collective gratitude.

It was then time to send in the dogs. The DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) unit with the Met Police are using their dogs in the painstaking process of recovering the fire’s many bodies. Sadly, in this case, this often means only small fragments of bone remain. In an interview in July, Sergeant Alistair Hutchins, who is heading up the DVI operation, explained how dogs have been used in this case.

“To start with, we have looked at visible remains and recovering those visible remains – that in itself is a challenge because of the structure and safety issues, so that took more time than we like and because of those safety factors.

t

9

31/07/2017 11:01

“Once we carried out that function, we used our police canines, search dogs, to come in and give us visible locations based on what they can smell, and we deal with those areas where we can safely. Clearly, dogs can come into rooms where I can’t safely because of the weight issues and safety.”

The London Fire Brigade also used its sniffer dogs at the Grenfell site, but as investigations are still ongoing into what happened, any real detail cannot be made public.

Instead, we sat down with Mat Dixon, who works with the West Midlands Fire Service as a dog handler, to talk about 10

1_Emergency Dogs.indd 10

“

Mat explains that cut-backs and reshuffles in the fire service have seriously decreased the funding for his work. The West Midlands Fire Service, for example, has gone from four dog handlers to just one. And Mat can’t be in two places at once

the importance of these dogs now more than ever.

He currently has two Belgian Malinois, Kai and Cara, who are a real hit on Twitter (follow them: @WMFireDogs), which Mat puts down to the appeal of dogs wearing boots!

”

Matt told us, “Kai is a fire investigation dog – he looks for flammable liquids.

Where we suspect arson, Kai will pick up any trace of flammable liquid that is left behind. We can then take a sample to the lab.

“Historically, there are a fair few jobs where Kai or his predecessors have found the evidence needed that’s instrumental in disproving what’s been claimed about a case. It’s a great feeling.”

Cara has a different role and is still in training; she’s a search and rescue dog, so she finds missing people.

Matt explains, “Hopefully, she will qualify in the next few months, but for now we can use her in lowland searching, where you may have someone with dementia who has wandered off, or someone suicidal who has disappeared into the woods.

By using Cara, we can quickly search a large area.”

The ultimate aim is to have Cara qualified as an ISAR dog – that’s International Search and Rescue – so she can use her keen nose overseas in the aftermath of disasters, such as earthquakes.

But it’s closer to home that she is needed now. Mat explains that cut-backs and reshuffles in the fire service have seriously decreased the funding for his work. The West Midlands Fire Service, for example, has gone from four dog handlers to just one. And Mat can’t be in two places at once.

Mat says, “The reduction in search dogs is frustrating to see, I would say.

“Not only are these jobs more important, they are a), diversifying – these dogs are doing far more things than they were 10 years ago – and b), there is much more need for these dogs, unfortunately.” r Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:01

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03/07/2017 31/07/2017 11:50 09:14

K-nine news Words: Megan Chapple

r a o r p u r u o F

A proposal by the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames to change the maximum number of dogs in a person’s sole charge from six to four looks set to go ahead. Despite uproar from professional dog walkers, some dog owners are in support of the idea‌

O

n 17 March 2017, Richmond Council launched a Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) consultation, putting forward new proposals to address antisocial activities in public

12

2_Richmond Dog Walking.indd 12

spaces. The consultation closed with 1,138 responses and a discussion was held on 11 July. Out of all the PSPOs, one stood out. Over half (59 per cent) of people who took part in the consultation disagreed with a four-dog limit, and, along with the

responses, the council was also handed 1,700 signatures opposing the decision.

Despite this, the council is still hoping to introduce the new proposal this autumn, along with a 12-month trial of 15 multi-dog licences granting owners or dog walkers living

in Richmond the right to walk up to six dogs.

Cllr Pamela Fleming, Richmond Council cabinet member for environment, defended the decision, saying, “Our intention is not to limit fun, but to ensure that parks are open for all to enjoy.

Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:26

impact significantly on them and owners of multiple dogs, who, they say, are being punished for the actions of a few. A Freedom if Information request on the council’s complaints statistics 20102017 showed 57 complaints relating to dogs, with just two for dog walkers and out of control dogs. Dog walkers do not believe these figures are justification enough.

Minority rules

“We have particularly seen a rise in the number of complaints we are receiving about dogs not being under control and professional dog walkers from other boroughs bringing dogs to our parks.

This has become a problem since neighbouring boroughs introduced similar rules. We have listened. We will limit the number of dogs. And those local residents who do have a number of dogs can apply for a licence.”

The new PSPOs and Dogs Today September 2017

2_Richmond Dog Walking.indd 13

licenses will follow in the footsteps of surrounding councils, such as Wandsworth Council, which has a similar dog policy and issues 50 multi-dog licences.

It is restrictions in other areas that are being blamed for a displacement of dog walkers, leading to higher numbers in certain areas of Richmond where residents and nonresidents both come to walk.

Professional dog walkers, who fought a four-dog limit in 2012, believe the proposal will

Professional dog walker Lucy Bonnett says, “We’re still waiting for Full Council in September, but if it is the final decision, I’m appalled. Fiftynine per cent of people who took part in the consultation did not want this change.”

The welfare of the dogs has been a key argument from both sides, with dog walkers claiming a cut to their client base, more journeys and increased fuel costs will have a knock-on effect with their fees and could lead to owners unable to afford their services.

Says Lucy, “It should be about the welfare of the dogs, not the money, and if an owner can’t afford to walk their dog, they may be left at home where they could develop behavioural issues.

Another alternative could be day care, which can also lead to more stress.

“As a dog walker of over 10 years, I have walked dogs for a few days and then told the owners their dog is not suited. You do not suddenly have six dogs in a group. It’s about matching the dogs correctly and the majority of professional dog walkers I know will do this.”

According to Lucy, dog walkers who use the Richmond area have suggested an alternative solution to the council, which involved a registration system where the council could get to know individuals and weed out those causing the problems.

“They could have worked with us, but they haven’t,” says Lucy. “I live within Richmond and the 15 licences will only be available to dog walkers in the

borough. Shouldn’t licensing be based on experience, not postcode? You should have the right to choose the best dog walker.”

The Kennel Club has also highlighted its concerns for the proposal. In a statement, the KC said, “The Kennel Club is concerned that following its Public Spaces Protection Order consultation, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is still planning to introduce measures which will seriously restrict not only the freedom of dog walkers, but also of any other member of the public who chooses Richmond’s large open spaces for recreation.

“The council is proposing a 12-month pilot scheme to license up to 15 people to be exempted from this restriction; however, there appears to be no obvious reason why this number has been decided upon. This potentially leaves some dog owners having to take their dogs out on separate walks.”

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, says, “While the Kennel Club can support reasonable PSPOs and is happy to help work with councils and advise on dog issues to try to ensure responsible dog ownership, we are very concerned to read Richmond’s proposals, which seem not only extreme, but very restrictive on its many residents. If enforced to the degree it implies, it will seriously limit any enjoyment that members of the public can enjoy in the London Borough of Richmond.”

Despite the Kennel Club’s support, not everyone’s convinced. Richmond resident Jenny Parker describes herself as a ‘desperate dog owner’ in what has been a long battle not with the council, but with dog walkers.

Says Jenny, “As someone who is a long-time dog owner, dog lover, has a KC affix and competes under KC rules, I am very upset that they are claiming they are supporting dog owners when it is the dog owners who have been pushed out 13

31/07/2017 11:26

of using our parks and open spaces by the commercial dog walkers.

“Despite the council passing the four-dogs [ruling], this is not the end of the battle to reclaim our parks and open spaces. I understand the dog walkers are now crowdfunding and getting funding from elsewhere to take it to judicial review. Not only are there around 200 dog walkers that use Richmond, they have joined up with other dog walkers from neighbouring boroughs and the ‘dog owners against unnecessary PSPOs’ to get support. As an example, the 1,700 signatures that they had did not come from borough residents and the council does not officially accept any petition that is not on its own website for the very reason that online petitions can take a life of their own and are not truly representative.

Park clashes “In addition, the FOI regarding complaints are not truly representative because so many would complain to their local councillor rather than the official parks. The FOI says only two out of control 14

2_Richmond Dog Walking.indd 14

“

This overuse of our parks and open spaces has impacted negatively on other users, local families, children and has made it impractical and unfeasible for many local residents to walk their own dogs. However well behaved, a large group of dogs can feel intimidating and threatening to other park users

dog walkers’ dogs have been reported since 2010, which is completely untrue because I have reported three to my local councilors in the last six months (and witnessed many more) and I know others that have reported too.”

A response to the consultation from another resident said, “This overuse of our parks and open spaces has impacted negatively on other users, local families, children and has made it impractical and unfeasible for many local residents to walk their own dogs. However well behaved, a large group of dogs can feel intimidating and threatening to other park users.”

It has also been claimed that there have been verbal clashes between both sides.

A police statement read, “… we are aware that some people (local residents in particular) are being targeted and singled out whilst out

”

and about in Ham and they are being subjected to comments, swearing and general intimidation.”

Lucy adds, “I’ve not been involved in intimidation, but I understand it’s in the Ham area. There are two sides to every story and there’s been unpleasant behaviour from both sides.”

No more than four Canine behaviourist and trainer Kirsten Dillon supports the council’s decision and, like Lucy, dog welfare is her main concern, “I have had to pick up the fallout from dog walkers walking too many at one time.

Dog walkers aren’t qualified to understand when a dog becomes stressed. It doesn’t matter how talented you are, you can’t physically watch more than four dogs and you cannot have good control of more than four dogs.”

Addressing the concerns of price hikes, Kirsten said,

“You will see the average cost of a group dog walk is now £12-£20 per hour per dog. This means the dog walker can earn £48-£80 per group walk by walking four dogs. This should be sufficient earning capacity, as above this amount, the welfare of the dogs has been proven to suffer.

Walking four dogs means much less time in a vehicle, meaning the dog walkers can fit more walks into their schedule, so I don’t believe the ruling would impact on their earning potential. All of us in the pet dog industry impose our own regulations upon ourselves; we limit our training class attendance and our behaviour clientele, even though this means reduced earning capacity, because it is morally right in an unregulated industry.

“Irresponsible dog walkers are far less cost effective if they cause continuous issues for the dogs around them as well as some of those in their care, as the average behaviour consultation costs around the same price as 10 walks!”

The final decision on the PSPOs will be made at Richmond’s Full Council meeting in September. r Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:26

DT0917_015.indd 19

31/07/2017 09:17

K-nine news Words: Victoria Heywood

Puppy g n i m r a f in the dock I

n July, years of work were finally coming together for Chancepixies. The Kentbased animal rescue charity’s trustees were heading to court, ready to take on North Kesteven District Council. The council has been allowing a breeding establishment within its jurisdiction to operate with 200 breeding bitches, granting it a licence to legally produce and sell puppies into the thousands every year.

It is called Swindells Ltd, but trades under the more appealing name of ‘Little Rascals’. On its polished website, the business advertises numerous breeds and crossbreeds for sale from as little £295. Buyers can even pay a £50 deposit for their puppy straight away (‘Secure payments by PayPal’!) without one visit to the litter, with a long list of adorable pictures with ‘SOLD OUT’ banners to prompt that quick reservation on 16

3_Chancepixies.indd 16

those still available. Its listed address, ‘The Dairies’, in Brant Broughton, Lincolnshire, seems to conjure up an image of a rural idyll.

Heidi Anderson, cofounder and trustee of Chancepixies, first found Little Rascals through some in-depth research. Tired of the overwhelming numbers of unwanted dogs cycling through the rescue system every year, and the British public’s often thoughtless attitude to buying puppies, the team contacted every local authority in England and Wales to try to pinpoint the puppy farmers who most contributed to our dog ownership crisis.

Heidi says, “Local authorities have control of dog breeding in their areas. They have the power to grant or refuse dog breeding licences and to set out conditions attached to licences.

“On 20 January 2016, North Kesteven District Council granted a licence to

Photo © Yonni Wilson

It’s a real-life David versus Goliath – a tiny independent animal charity taking on the nation’s biggest puppy farmer

Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:30

Dogs Today September 2017

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31/07/2017 11:30

Marty’s story

S

andra Lawrence rescued Marty, a Welsh Springer Spaniel and ex-stud dog, over a year ago. He has been traced back to Little Rascals through his microchip by Chancepixies. Sandra also owns Jack Russell Meggie, who was advertised for adoption as an ex-breeding dog around the same time as Marty.

Sandra told us, “I adopted Marty from my local rescue centre in May 2016 and it soon became clear just how broken and traumatised he was. I think the short journey to my home was the last straw – he looked as if he could take no more.”

One month before, Marty had had an initial veterinary examination, which revealed some extent of his suffering.

He was less than half the weight he should have been.

Sandra continues, “His birthdate was given as 1 January 2009, making him eight years old now.

However, it turned out, from further investigation into his microchip details, that he is only five – a sad reflection of the state he was in at the time of rescue.”

Marty needed help with just about everything – he had 14 rotten teeth out, a deep ear infection, chest auscultation, a grade-three 18

3_Chancepixies.indd 18

heart murmur and cataracts in both eyes.

“None of this occurred overnight,” says Sandra.

“They are long-term health issues borne out of neglect and poor nutrition. It is also clear that veterinary care had not been provided to ease the painful conditions that Marty was suffering.

I suspect Marty has other health problems, as a slight change in diet, or single dose of medication, causes severe sickness and diarrhoea.

“Marty is terrified of touch – he becomes severely distressed and will ‘shut down’ if I, or the vet, have to touch him. Home visits by the vet, requiring sedation, have to be arranged – a costly necessity.

Used and abused “Over time I have employed the services of a wellregarded behaviourist, a Tellington Touch practitioner and now engaged with the Trust Technique, who rehabilitate abused and tortured animals. Despite this expert help, it continues to be an ongoing process to help Marty overcome his fears, requiring great patience and persistence.

“It is without question that Marty’s fearful behaviour stems from rough handling,

living in constant fear and left in severe pain without veterinary care. To endure all of this on a daily basis, with total neglect of a dog’s basic requirements, to exercise and to display natural behaviour, is disgraceful. Marty hadn’t a clue how to sniff out a treat or how to play with a toy.

In fact, to this day, neither of my dogs understand how to play with a ball/toy.

They have been deprived of love, gentle interaction and socialisation.

“Marty was used and abused simply for profit, then cast to one side once they’d done with him.

“I am furious that NKDC see fit to license Little Rascals – viewing the inspection reports makes frustrating reading. There are repeated recommendations, year on year, such as dental checks. Little Rascals’ own vets state they would carry out twice-yearly dental checks. What happened to Marty’s dental check?

Baby steps “Finally, this last week or two, Marty is showing signs of relaxing, but it is like walking on thin ice – noise or visitors could so easily create anxiety, which causes him to regress again. Thankfully, as I live on my own, it is generally very quiet here. Meggie, too, is coming along well – she loves fuss from me, although freezes if picked up, and gradually she is learning how to be brave in the big, noisy world outside.

“I would like to end with words written by a friend…

Only owners of these dogs, who have very specific needs, can fully understand the depth of feeling that goes along with caring for them. We take these sad, fragile dogs into our homes and hearts – they bring out every instinct within us to fiercely protect and care for them and also make us want to fight on their behalf against the vile industry from which they originated.”

a Lincolnshire puppy farm to keep 200 breeding bitches and 59 stud dogs, and in so doing we feel they completely ignored the Animal Welfare Act 2006.”

Chancepixies’ initial investigations into the business with this licence revealed what’s behind the consumer-friendly website.

“We visited the establishment in 2013, the first year its licence allowed them to hold 200 breeding bitches,” Heidi says. “The puppies/ litters on display were on clean wood shavings and appeared outwardly healthy, but the sad truth is that this is not a suitable, natural environment for a domestic pet dog to live in; this was very much a farmyard environment.

“The premises is an old dairy farm; the buildings in use were designed to keep cattle.

The public are not allowed access to the majority of the buildings; a small number of the 60 stud dogs were ‘on display’; eight small males of various breeds in a small pen in the yard; other than that, there were no other adult dogs on view.

“The dogs are clearly not raised as the domestic pets that they were designed for and are sold as, despite the basic rights of a suitable environment, ability to exhibit natural behaviour and to be free from suffering, pain or disease being protected under the Animal Welfare Act. “The licensees are farmers, and possibly do not see that they are doing anything wrong; indeed they have held such a licence for in excess of 10 years. The council, however, have been given the power to enforce legislation and in our opinion this premises does not care for these dogs in the proper manner under Animal Welfare Act requirements, which has been in place since 2006 – the responsibility lies at their door...”

In April last year, Chancepixies made their move. The charity launched its legal challenge against North Kesteven District Council, with the support of a crowdfunding Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:31

campaign to fund the fight.

In a rushed response, the council cancelled the breeding licence to Little Rascals, but quickly reissued it under new terms and correcting several mistakes. But it wasn’t good enough for Chancepixies; on 28 June, a High Court judge agreed that this move wasn’t allowed, and granted Chancepixies’s legal team the opportunity to challenge the council for the flaws they had identified in the breeding licence.

Down but not out In September, the courts reached a ruling that the 2016 breeding licences, both the original and rapidly reissued one, were unlawful. As a result, both were quashed – a major success for Chancepixies. North Kesteven District Council were then given until 18 October to decide whether to grant Little Rascals a new licence – and, at the eleventh hour, they did. All 200 breeding bitches would continue to live as farm animals.

But all was not lost.

Chancepixies sprung into action against the latest reissuing, challenging the council once more. In May, Chancepixies was granted the opportunity of a second judicial review, to establish whether a breeding business the size of Little Rascals can

Stop press

comply with the terms of the Animal Welfare Act. On 5 and 6 July, the judicial review went ahead at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, with supporters from the anti-puppy farm campaign group Cariad and anti-pet shop puppies group Boycott Dogs4Us and the Linton Pet Shop protestors standing in solidarity outside.

Now, as we go to press, we await the outcome. It’s not just the lives of the Little Rascals breeding dogs that are at stake here, but potentially the lives of all commercial breeding dogs living in puppy farms throughout the country.

Dogs Today contacted Little Rascals for a statement, but were told they would be unwilling to comment while awaiting the judgement.

Linda Goodman of Cariad said, “If successful, this case could set a legal precedent in terms of the way commercial dog breeding establishments are licensed and the protections afforded to dogs on those premises. In short, this has the potential to end the battery farming of dogs.

“Thousands of dogs currently housed in puppy farms are afforded none of the protections under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and were councils legally obliged to give consideration to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 when granting a dog breeding

licence, then many of these puppy farms would be refused a dog breeding licence. Of the Animal Welfare Act’s ‘five freedoms’, taking just one – the freedom to exhibit natural behaviour – this is impossible in an institutionalised breeding facility. And now in July, we have witnessed a Welsh council’s licensing committee admit that they cannot enforce certain aspects of model licence conditions within the UK’s most ‘robust’ dog breeding regulations.

This isn’t through lack of funds or staff but because it’s impossible to enforce compliance when dogs are locked away out of sight.

Heidi reflects, “It has certainly been a rollercoaster of a year. Giving up was never an option; we have put literally everything we have into this charity over the years and we passed the point of no return years ago!

Shoulder to shoulder “The highs have been the amount of support we have had, especially from organisations such as the Linton Pet Shop protesters, Cariad, the Puppy Love campaign and Boycott Dogs4Us, as well as many fantastic individuals.

“It has been a rocky road, but mainly due to the severe lack of finances. We were warned that if funds were not

made available, our legal team would be unable to continue to act for us. Despite the council being liable for the previous court case costs, funds were being withheld while lawyers costs had been drafted in.

Apparently, this is perfectly normal, but it meant that not only were we in the red with the previous case, but we were already racking up a sizable bill on the current case.

“Thankfully, disaster was averted when an interim payment was received from the council. We are still a long way off from the potential £70,000 legal bill we could be facing, but we hope the risk has been worthwhile to safeguard dogs kept in these types of establishments across the country.

“The Animal Welfare Act was put in place to protect all animals, and it is the licensing authorities’ responsibility to ensure that welfare standards are adhered to in all dog breeding establishments, not to turn a blind eye. If you were to apply their attitude to car manufacturers, it would mean that those manufacturers producing, say, 50 cars a year would be subject to more stringent safety standards than a manufacturer producing thousands – you can imagine the consequences… And we are dealing with sentient beings as the ‘product’.” r

Sadly, we received this devastating update from Chancepixies just as we went to press...

I

t is with great shock and disappointment that I have to tell you that our case against councils licencing puppy farms was not successful.

On Wednesday 26 July 2017, judgement was handed down

by Mr Justice Garnham, that councils do not have to take regard of Animal Welfare Act requirements when considering a dog breeding licence: “…the Code was not designed to be a list of pre-requisites for the grant of a licence under the 1973 Act. …Had that been Parliament’s intention, the 2006 Act could have specified that was so”.

This is obviously an appalling state of affairs, and we will appeal if this option is open to us.

In any event, the judgement has given us a very clear message to take to Defra and the government that this loophole needs to be addressed with some urgency. The Animal Welfare Act must work alongside the Breeding of

Dogs Act and ensure that one of the most vulnerable groups of animals – companion, pet dogs kept as profit-making farm stock – are offered the protection of the AWA that was supposed to offer rights to all animals in England and Wales, not just those dogs privileged enough to live their lives in a home where they belong.

Obviously, we have some pretty steep bills heading our way, and unless we can meet them, our charity will not survive and we will be unable to continue our fight to protect dogs against irresponsible breeding. Our campaign is by no means finished and has not been in vain, but the dogs need us now more than ever, and we cannot continue without help.

Thank you so much for your support throughout this journey so far; you have helped us get clarity on where the law stands regarding animal welfare within the licensing structure, and what the next steps must be.

Can you help? Chancepixies is potentially facing a legal bill of £70,000. Donate online via www.chancepixies.com Dogs Today September 2017

3_Chancepixies.indd 19

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31/07/2017 11:31

K-nine news Is it possible to empty a shelter, getting all the animals rehomed in under a week? It just might doable, if you happen to be the Supervet...

o h e R r e p u S e h T

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Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:35

Words: Alessandra Pacelli

h omer!

N

oel Fitzpatrick is a busy man.

One would think that with two cutting-edge vet facilities to run, a TV series to film, all of the work DogFest entails and more, he’d have no time left for anything else.

But then again, they don’t call him Supervet for nothing, and he will be soon back on our screens with a brand new TV series on Channel 4.

Britain is known as a nation of animal lovers, and yet it’s estimated that a quarter of a million of pets find themselves in the care of rescue centres every year. Some get their perfect match right away, but many have to wait longer for their forever home. Only recently, the National Animal Welfare Trust announced that it had finally managed to rehome its longest-stay resident, Mole. The gorgeous bull Lurcher arrived in the Hayle centre as a puppy in 2008. You read that right: poor Mole had to wait nine years before being adopted.

Many dogs who find themselves in rescues as adults cannot wait that long – and no dog should have to. To highlight this plight, Channel 4 has commissioned a unique five-day live event.

Its aim: to rehome as many dogs as possible. The efforts to do this will be broadcast as a TV series. And – you guessed it – Professor Noel Fitzpatrick will be involved.

Along with presenter Steve Jones, he’ll be at the Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter in a bid to rehome the centre’s animals by the end of the week – all 150 of them, including 70 dogs.

“I love animals, I love live TV, and I love the Supervet,” Steve said. “This is going to be a great show with a great purpose. Can’t wait.”

Explaining how the dogs featured will be chosen, producer Dermot Caulfield said, “We are working with the rehoming professionals in all the shelters. They tell us which animals are ready to be rehomed. In Newcastle, we hope to rehome all available animals. In the other shelters, we are featuring several animals that represent the issues we will be covering in the show, and then direct people to the shelters to see all their animals.”

House hunting Leyla Rutter, chief executive at the Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter, explained that they’re hoping to rehome as many animals as possible.

“Emptying the shelter would prove very difficult, since we have animals coming in every single day,” she said. “Sometimes it’s only one at the time, sometimes it’s 10, on some days even up to 20! But we hope this will help us find the right homes for many of them, especially our special guests, those who are harder to rehome.”

One such dog is Sally, a Greyhound, who was absolutely terrified when she first came to the shelter. She would hide away from the volunteers, and it took weeks before she began relaxing in their presence. Even now she’s very nervous and will lie on the ground if approached by a stranger.

“Dogs are individuals with individual needs, and we always do our best to match them with the right family,” Leyla said. “Sally, for example, will need a quiet home, and a gentle owner with plenty of patience. We will focus first on those who, like Sally, are harder to rehome, but we’ll be showcasing all kinds of animals in need.” r

The adoptathon will run every night from Monday 7 August to Friday 11 August at 8pm on Channel 4.

You don’t want to miss this one!

Turn over for an interview with the Supervet Dogs Today September 2017

4_Noel's Adoptathon.indd 21

t

21

31/07/2017 11:35

A word with the Supervet We had a chat with Noel Fitzpatrick about his work, his projects for the future, and why rescuing animals is so important to him…

Is rescue something close to your heart?

Throughout my career, I have witnessed time and time again the redemptive power of unconditional love shared between an animal and a human. Through raising awareness of the fun, love and hope that rehoming an animal can bring to families everywhere, I genuinely think that we speak a language of joy and compassion, and I think that this is a fantastic message to put out into the world right now.

I know that we will find forever homes for lots of dogs, cats and many more animals that will bring their unconditional love to families across the nation. We’re going to show how holding a paw can help ease most of life’s worries and we’re hopefully going to build a real sense of community and responsibility.

In one week in August, we’re intending to spread hope 22

4_Noel's Adoptathon.indd 22

across the country one dog and one cat at a time, and put a permanent stake in the ground to tackle the misconceptions and challenges rescue animals face.

Might we be seeing you doing more TV presenting?

This is a very important initiative by Channel 4 and I sincerely believe this could be a landmark programming event. I’m very excited about working with Steve and Kate, and I really think that we can create a special moment in television.

As for my future in it, my number one love and priority is my work as a surgeon, but, as you know, my passion is to try to influence the world positively, to make it a better place for animals, who give us so much – and to explain how, by looking after both human and animal side-byside, we all win: society wins and the planet wins.

So who knows? Where I see a benefit to animals and to my message for One Medicine (bringing human and animal health into closer alignment, so all benefit at the same time), I will certainly consider it.

Have you ever felt like adopting some of the dogs you have treated? Have you ever become especially attached?

Absolutely. Countless times a dog, or a cat, or even the odd hedgehog has come in and they capture my heart, but one of the greatest things about the patients I meet is that, for the most part, they have the most wonderful, caring and dedicated families – they wouldn’t be in my consulting room if they weren’t. I generally would never have a chance to adopt them, even if I were in a position to do so.

The families I meet through my work are exceptional human beings who inspire me every day. That love between them and their animal friend is what motivates me to do

what I do. It was, and remains to this day, the main reason I do The Supervet TV shows.

If society could bottle the love and devotion we see in all of the families that allow us to follow their journey of love, for which I’m deeply grateful, then we could make the world a better place.

Through this TV show, we really do hope to make some headway toward a seismic shift in societal perception of love, family and moral responsibility – and hopefully to give hundreds and hundreds of homeless animals and people a chance of sharing love. Companion animals really are integral family members and that really matters in our world.

We all go through ups and downs in life, and many of the animals that could be adopted have also been through many ups and downs.

When we understand that life’s journey is often best shared, the love and companionship of an animal really can heal our soul and enrich our lives immeasurably. r Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:35

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K-nine news

United against BSL On Saturday 15 July, dog lovers worldwide united to peacefully protest breed-specific legislation. This included three events in the UK: one in Coventry, one in Cardiff and one, of course, at Westminster...

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Jordan remembering Lennox © DDA Watch

A

t the dawn of criminology, there was a school of thought that believed some people were ‘born criminals’ and could be identified by their physical appearance.

Anthropological criminology gave credit to the notion that criminal behaviour was a hereditary disposition, and its followers outlined several physical features that could identify a person as violent, thieving and immoral.

Nowadays, nobody in their right mind would give credit to such theories. And yet, dogs across the world – including the UK – are deemed ‘dangerous’ and destroyed every day for no other reason than their looks. How wide is the chest? The shoulders?

The hips? How is the head shaped? A few ticks in the wrong boxes and the dog is sentenced to death.

In the face of this injustice, dog lovers travelled across the UK to join the peaceful protest organised by DDA Watch, a campaign group that was set up to challenge the legislation and help the owners of seized dogs.

“The Westminster protest was a grass-roots gathering, with volunteers present who actively campaign and support innocent dogs and their families being torn apart by breed-specific legislation on a daily basis,”

a DDA Watch statement reads.

In the 26 years it’s been in effect, campaigners argue, the Dangerous Dogs Act has done nothing to protect the public or bring down the number of dog attacks.

All that it has caused is heartache for thousands of owners – some of whom were at the protest in memory of their lost pets.

“At the event in central London, there was a large white sheet headed ‘People’s Messages to Defra – 26 Years of Tears’ and dog lovers wrote their own personal messages to be sent to government; some in memory of much-loved dogs who had never put a paw wrong and have been killed by the outdated legislation.

“Another precious dog named Paul was remembered.

Heartbreakingly, his casket of ashes was brought to the Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:40

Words: Alessandra Pacelli protest to show the end result of many dogs affected by this harsh and unfair legislation.

Paul had lost his life in 2015 and campaigners shed tears as his casket was placed in remembrance at the event.”

One young supporter called Jordan travelled a long way to London with a photograph of Lennox, one of the most well-known victims of BSL. Seized in Northern Ireland in 2010 for looking like a Pit bull, Lennox was actually a cross between an American Bulldog and a Labrador – but he just happened to look like a banned breed, and that was all it took. Despite a desperate fight to save him, and a campaign that received worldwide attention, Lennox was destroyed after two years spent languishing in death row, like many others before and after him.

“Two supporters from Devon held up their placard for a much-loved dog named Sky, who is held incarcerated

“

With the current Dangerous Dogs Act being introduced as a knee-jerk reaction to a spate of dog attacks in 1991, Robert fears it would take very little – maybe even just one major incident – for other breeds to be classed as dangerous

and caught up in a legal nightmare due to BSL,” a DDA Watch spokesperson said. “Another innocent dog named Blitz, who has been tragically sentenced to death under the barbaric law and endured two and a half years imprisoned on canine death row, was remembered and many members of the public were shocked to learn that this is what can, and often does, happen in the UK and overseas, to pet dogs who have never bitten or hurt anyone.

“Several people who stopped to speak to the campaigners expressed their disgust and shock that this legislation exists in Great Britain and other parts of the world.”

It wasn’t only owners of

”

targeted dogs to turn up.

Robert Stuhldreer, owner of Flora the Akita, was there as well to lend his support.

Suffering from a mysterious condition that causes him to lose consciousness without any warning, Robert relies on Flora as his assistance dog.

Flora is capable of picking up the signs that an episode is coming and warn Robert on time, giving him back a great degree of independence.

No breed is safe The two have an unshakeable bond, but Robert is all too aware of the averse reactions Flora often gets for being a large breed – and he knows that no dog is truly safe from bad legislation.

“The first reason why I joined the protest is, of

course, that the Dangerous Dogs Act is an extremely flawed piece of legislation,” he says. “It is absolutely abhorrent, killing dogs for no reason but their looks. Sadly, I can’t see the government having the courage to repeal it; if they do, and something bad happens afterwards, they would be blamed. I don’t think they would risk it.”

With the current Dangerous Dogs Act being introduced as a knee-jerk reaction to a spate of dog attacks in 1991, Robert also fears it would take very little – maybe even just one major incident – for other breeds to be classed as dangerous.

“If you look at other countries, you’ll see that more breeds are classed as ‘dangerous’. In Ireland, for example, Akitas like Flora are considered dangerous dogs. It is something that truly worries me: one attack from any Akita could land the entire breed on that dreadful

Robert Stuhldreer with Flora © DDA Watch

DDA Watch Volunteer Ann Lane (left) with Jordan Shelley and Dr Kendal Shepherd © DDA Watch

Dogs Today September 2017

5_DDA Protest.indd 25

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31/07/2017 11:41

Jordan Shelley and Robert Alleyne © DDA Watch

list. Flora is a wonderful ambassador for her breed, the calmest dog you’ll ever meet, but when walking with her, I still get some truly hostile reactions.”

There have been instances of people demanding Flora to leave the GP’s waiting room or the bus, sometimes becoming verbally abusive, despite Flora wearing a jacket that identified her as an assistance dog. Robert is certain that a Labrador in the same jacket would have had a very different reception.

“It is exhausting, dealing with prejudice,” Robert says.

“Especially when you’re feeling unwell.”

Attending to support the event were also veterinary surgeon and animal behaviourist Dr Kendal Shepherd, and canine behaviourists Robert Alleyne and Jordan Shelley.

However, the supporter who most caught the eye was

the one dressed up as the Grim Reaper, representing BSL, giving out leaflets to passers-by.

A less daunting presence was that of Whippet the Staffie, one of the Battersea Dogs and Cats

Home’s ‘ambassadogs’, who attempted to lick everyone present to death while wearing a coat bearing the words ‘Breed-Specific Legislation Murders My Friends’. Over 2,000 DDA Watch leaflets were distributed in central

London, and further petition signatures were gained to help create awareness.

Maria Daines, a director of DDA Watch and one of the event organisers, said, “It is high time breedspecific legislation was at least extensively debated in parliament with a view to repealing section 1 [BSL], which has proven over 26 years to be ineffective, unfair and cruel to the dogs and families affected by it.

Education – as opposed to prohibitive legislation – is necessary and helps to keep dog owners, the public and canine companions safe.

“Banning, restricting and killing dogs that look a certain way is ridiculously outdated, heartbreaking for many, and a waste of public money. In 2017, we can and should be doing much better for our canine friends, their families, the public and those who work with dogs, including stray and rescue dogs.” r

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K-nine news

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Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:44

Words: Megan Chapple

Rise of the k n a b d o o f t e p According to the Trussell Trust, which runs 400 foodbanks in the UK, 13 million people live below the poverty line.

For these families, foodbanks can provide a lifeline, but what happens to their pets?

R

escues are seeing more and more owners reluctantly handing over pets that they can no longer afford to feed. For the pets, going from the comfort of a family home to kennel life can be hugely distressing, but in the last few years, a new type of foodbank has appeared with the aim of keeping pets where they belong.

At the beginning of summer, the Pet Rescue Welfare Association launched what’s believed to be north Wales’ first pet foodbank.

As a dog rescuer, founder Marjorie Summerfield had become increasingly aware of struggling owners’ plight.

Says Marjorie, “It’s increased since the austerity measures, including cuts to disability benefits and pensions. Mainly we help people who’ve lost their home, gone into rented accommodation and the landlords won’t let them bring their pet, or where there’s been a bereavement. We try to help where we can.”

It was then that Marjorie decided to add a new service to the centre at Llewerllyd Farm, Dyserth, where, along with her husband, she also runs a rescue, veterinary practice and day care.

Dogs Today September 2017

6_Food Banks.indd 29

“As a rescue, we get lots of calls from owners needing to hand in their pets due to a change of circumstance and we felt the pets were far better off staying where they were. Some of the foodbanks near us will take small amounts of pet food, but as they know about us now, they will direct people to us. We accept all pet-related things and anything else we direct to the foodbanks and homeless shelters.”

If you are planning to donate pet food to a foodbank, it’s best to check ahead, as not all will accept pet-related items. This can be down to a lack of space and resources, and some take the stance that foodbanks are there to serve humans.

Following its launch, the pet foodbank has already received donations from the local community and has begun helping local owners.

Marjorie adds, “We’ve helped quite a few people so far. I don’t means-test, as I find a worker can often be worse off than someone who is not in work. I ask for a utility bill as proof of address, how many pets they have, and their breeds and ages so we can give them the relevant food.

“As we have a vet clinic too, we can offer prescription food, but we

do have to have access to their local vet, so we give the right food; we have to be very careful about that.”

Wood Green Animal Charity set up a pet foodbank for the London N22 postcode in September 2015, with the support of the Haringey Foodbank, run by the Trussell Trust.

Common plight A spokesperson for Wood Green said, “As a charity, we continually receive requests from owners needing to give up their pets. There are various reasons why owners need to relinquish their pets, but we are finding that, often, through times of hardship, owners are reducing the amount of preventative care given to their pets and not taking up, or cancelling, pet insurance. Whilst this can save money in the short term, this can leave owners open to large vet bills if a problem develops, which is then unaffordable for them.”

As a result, when an owner is referred to Wood Green, they will also be provided with advice on preventative care.

“As a charity, we are fortunate that we have many ongoing great relationships with supermarkets and pet stores, and receive food support from many kind 29

31/07/2017 11:45

local donors at these points.

Where we do struggle is when we need to support an owner with a specific type of food. This is often for health reasons, and being able to provide the right diet can ensure that the owner can avoid a decline in their pet’s health, but we do struggle to meet these needs. Therefore, we often need to put out a plea for donations of grainfree, colourant-free or fishbased diets, or even cash donations to help provide for these specialist cases.”

Inspiring idea Part of Marjorie’s aim at the Pet Rescue Welfare Association is to inspire more organisations and charities to set up their own foodbank and add to the handful of dedicated pet foodbanks across the UK. Says Marjorie, “We’re hoping it will spread across the country, but it’s still very new. We invite people to get in touch for advice on starting something up themselves and hope to create a template for this.

It’s not just about being an animal lover, but being an animal lover who extends that help to the owners as well.”

To increase donations, 30

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Marjorie has worked with local shops and supermarkets to set up collection points and is also looking to set up a delivery service in future to reach disabled and elderly owners who may not be able to reach the centre.

But Marjorie warns it’s no mean feat.

“It’s certainly not easy. It’s easy in principle, but as you grow, you need to get more and more volunteers and support.”

Audrey Taylor and Stewart Kidd set up the Central Scotland Pet Food Bank in February 2016 after speaking to another pet foodbank founder. Instead of a place to visit, they stock donations in their homes and deliver straight to those in need.

Within the last year, they’ve received 80 new referrals and helped an estimated 500 animals, which could have been given in to rescues.

Says Audrey, “It’s a huge commitment. We have trolleys for donations in shops and vets in Paisley where we collect from, and our fuel is funded from our own pocket. This is why monetary donations are useful too, and can also be used for purchasing items we don’t stock. For example,

if someone needs rabbit food, we can use monetary donations to pay for this.

“With homeless owners, homeless doesn’t necessarily mean roofless. They may keep pets with them, but cannot stock three bags of pet food, so we can supply rations of food.”

Do it yourself If you are considering setting up something similar, Audrey advises contacting neighbours and friends to ask if they will support and donate. Their pet food bank relies heavily on regular donations and it’s important to know where supplies are coming from.

There is also the emotional side to consider.

“When you hear of someone with just £50 to last a fortnight with food, fuel and electricity bills, or a domestically abused woman living at a crisis centre, you

do get caught up in people’s stories. You don’t just drop off a bag of dog food and say goodbye.”

It’s not just owners who benefit. The Central Scotland Pet Food Bank supplies donations to charities and foster carers, to help them focus their money on veterinary care and continue their vital work.

Georgie, a foster carer at Tigerlily Feline Rescue, says, “Audrey and Stewart have been as amazing support to us over the last year. The donations they have given to us has helped to keep the cats in our care fed and ensured we have been able to continue our work rescuing cats who need a second chance in life.”

Alison Cuthbertson, founder of Parcels 4 Pets, which delivers donations to foodbanks in Scotland, knows all too well the work involved, but also the difference it makes.

Says Alison, “I had worked as a welfare rights officer and then subsequently as a manager of a local advice service, so I was aware that most people would feed their pet before themselves.”

To date she estimates they have supplied seven tonnes of pet food and they now aim to have collection points in some of the big cities.

“The demand for this service is incredible, which is why I took the decision to apply for charitable status, so we can access more funding for food. We have companies desperate to help us, but they need the charity number. This is a need that is not going away and if we can prevent one pet from being dumped or rehomed due to lack of money for food, then I am happy.” r

How to help r Pet Rescue Welfare Association (north Wales) 01745 571061

r Parcel 4 Pets (Scotland) www.facebook.com/ parcels4pets

r The Pet Food Bank (Scotland & Northern Ireland) www.petfoodbank.co.uk Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:45

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31/07/2017 13:00

K-nine news Words: Beverley Cuddy

T he H l i v e D Wears C D Y P Lights, camera, sausages… Action!

See behind the scenes of the making of our first viral video…

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ow many of you realise that we are involved in the successful retail site PurrfectlyYappy .com (PYDC)? If you’ve not yet looked, it’s a bit like Not On The High Street for dogs (and cats!) – a shop-front for artisans and multinationals to show their wares. So, there’s hard-tofind things, and items you didn’t yet know you couldn’t live without – plus food on subscription so you never run out.

We have behaviour experts, like Kirsten Dillon, keeping an eye on quality and ethics, and it really is a dream job to try out all the products. We love people reviewing their purchases.

It’s been organically growing and growing, and my husband, Graham Smith, spotted an opportunity to let it grow some more by applying to crowdfunding

platform Seedrs – to allow dogs and their owners to become stakeholders, too.

For example, if your dog owns part of the business, you will both get special rewards.

Seedrs is normally very sniffy about the projects it takes on, but it loved PYDC and we were soon fasttracked for a public launch.

Someone along the way suggested we make a viral video, and, as I had recently been on a screenwriting course at the Met Film School, it soon spiralled out of control!

Red carpet I hope, by the time we go to print, we’ll have had the glamorous world premiere in Chobham High Street of The Devil Wears PYDC, and you will already have seen the film too!

We’re inviting Tom Hardy, who is filming down the road and has already appeared several times in Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:49

Dogs Today September 2017

7_PY Movie.indd 33

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31/07/2017 11:50

the magazine. We’ll also be Lucky Chihuahua’s very sending invites to Russell glamorous younger sister.

Brand and his dog, Bear, who We are so grateful to is mentioned in the film, and Jules O’Dwyer for allowing us Warwick Davis and Sherlock, to feature a very special bit plus the Queen – all of whom of footage – I won’t spoil the get name-checks! Even if surprise, if you haven’t yet none of them can come, the seen it, but it is quite literally puparazzi will be more than breathtaking! And at the satisfied to snap at the risk of this sounding like an star-studded cast stepping Oscar acceptance speech, on to the red carpet from we had some exquisite their limos. props made by the team at Our leading human, Colin Pet Subjects. Do watch out Skeaping, has appeared for the details! in hundreds of movies, Winning score including the first three The original score is from Star Wars films and several the multi-talented Joel Bird James Bonds, Superman… whose music was recently the list is endless. stolen for an Amazon We feature his famous commercial. His most recent Beardie, Sandy (former media appearance is as Dogs Today cover dog), the author of a book about who was always the go-to sheds – as he is the first dog in Annie productions winner of Channel 4’s Shed and has an acting CV of the Year. almost as long Colin’s protégé, (His dad was and illustrious as six-month-old Banjo, also one of the Colin’s. really impressed proprietors of Isa Randle was everyone with his Terrier World our glamorous work ethic and – just doing a leading lady and her super-talented enthusiasm. Such a bit of namebright future lies dropping here; Lucky Chihuahua ahead – the dog is it seemed was a powerful so brainy, I’m appropriate!) presence, proving tipping him as a Our director once more to the future PM never and cameraman world that size mind a Palme D’og was the superreally doesn’t talented and matter. You will winner amazingly remember that patient Dominic Witherow, Lucky rose to fame as a who also created nearly all finalist in Britain’s Next Top the special effects.

Dog Model and has since (I made the very appeared in some very amateur fake paws and high-profile advertising the embarrassing parcel…. campaigns.

Regular readers will There’s a delightful cameo understand when I say it of Colin’s acting veteran, brought back fond memories 15-year-old Beardie Tully of making a wig for Mystic – the canine equivalent of Mutt and the famous having Michael Caine doing Scooperman costume.) a walk-on.

Thank you so much to Oscar potential Colin Skeaping for inviting us Colin’s protégé, six-monthto take over his home and old Banjo, really impressed life. And, most of all, thank everyone with his work ethic you to our cast of superand enthusiasm. Such a talented, gorgeous dogs. bright future lies ahead – the We hope you like the film dog is so brainy, I’m tipping and share it so that as many him as a future PM never people as possible see it! mind a Palme D’og winner.

And if you’d like us to Laura McAuliffe’s Dalmatian make some more, do say! r (another Lucky) was making Check out the film on his movie debut, too, and www.purrfectlyyappy.com there is also a glimpse of 34

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Dogs Today September 2017

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Dogs Today September 2017

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K-nine news

h t i w l e Reb e s u a c a

We welcome top legal Beagle Professor John Cooper QC to the Dogs Today family

A

t our recent Unsung Hero awards at DogFest, we were delighted to recognise the work of Professor John Cooper QC, who has given his expertise and support to many animal welfare campaigns over the last 25 years. And we are chuffed beyond words that he has agreed to write a regular column for us.

How John finds the time

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to scratch his own head, let alone write for us, is puzzling.

His demanding legal work would challenge the most committed of workaholics.

He is one of the leading QCs in the country, with a jawdropping CV (have a Google – his achievements would fill this article if listed here and leave no room for the important matter of dogs!).

But it is for his work as an animal welfare campaigner that many of you will know

him. He helped to bring about the Hunting Act, which criminalised the hunting of wild mammals with dogs in England and Wales, he has prosecuted animal welfare cases for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), he is a spokesperson for Brian May’s Save Me organisation and an emissary for the Animal Welfare Foundation.

A patron of Born Innocent, John is also passionately

opposed to breed-specific legislation – something he says ‘embarrasses’ him as a lawyer. When the entire legal system is based on the premise that someone is innocent until proven guilty, BSL is a galling anomaly.

“Dogs are victimised – euthanased – not for how they behave, but for how they look!” he exclaims. “It’s not just a case of being unfair, but it is ineffective – the statistics show that it doesn’t work.”

Born Innocent is proud to have such an eminent patron. Its chair, Frannie Santos-Mawdsley, says, “We approached John right at the beginning, when we were talking about what was needed to drive changes to this legislation. Indeed, he came up with the name Born Innocent when he agreed to be our patron! We approached Prof Cooper not only because of the high regard in which he is held, but also because of his fearless advocacy against unfairness, bullying and poor legislation.

“His support of our work at Born Innocent has been central to the progress we have made exposing the iniquity of the Dangerous Dogs Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:55

Words: Claire Horton-Bussey

Main photo, facing page: John talking at the Labour Animal Welfare Society Conference. Left: receiving his Unsung Hero award at DogFest; Above: with Frannie Santos Mawdsley the chair of Born Innocent; Top right: with Judge Rinder; Bottom right: relaxing with his rescue Lurcher, Lawrence.

Act and will be invaluable in the years to come as we continue to push for significant changes and an end to breed-specific legislation.”

John is as complimentary about Born Innocent, saying, “They are a serious group of people with wide skill sets – in law, marketing, statistics…

They know how to engage with power. Sometimes it’s appropriate to be outside a building with placards – I’ve done it with the Occupy protests – and sometimes it’s appropriate to go into the buildings and sit quietly at the table and engage and calmly debate.”

Action man John is equally comfortable debating as he is placard-waving – and has campaigning blood coursing through his veins. His greatgreat-aunt was a suffragette, his grandfather was a trade unionist, and his mum was active in the Labour party.

“It’s in my blood!” John laughs.

Indeed, John is an advisor to the Labour Party and was thrilled with this year’s manifesto – whose promises included increased sentences for those convicted of Dogs Today September 2017

8_John Cooper.indd 37

committing animal cruelty, the banning of third-party puppy sales, as well as promising to keep the hunting ban.

John is proud of his working-class roots.

“I was disruptive to the age of 11, as I was bored. I failed the 11-plus and went to the local comp – and it was the making of me. They listened to me and answered my questions. In primary school, asking questions was ‘naughty’!”

Watching the long-running drama Crown Court on TV, aged around 13 years, inspired him to become a barrister.

“My parents supported me, but outside the family, I was told that people like us can’t do that job.”

But prejudices continued even after becoming a barrister in 1983.

“People like me weren’t seen as appropriate,” he says. Deemed to have the wrong accent, the wrong school and the wrong class, he was openly bullied by colleagues because of his background.

“I saw one of them recently. He’d no doubt forgotten how he’d treated me, but I was glad he could

see that he had not forced me out.”

It’s no surprise, then, that John is so committed to equality for all – and this extends beyond humans.

“We have a responsibility to care for everything – be they humans, animals… I’m a passionate believer in treating everything in an equal way, and dogs are the most loyal things we have in the world,” he says.

John and his partner Shaila have two dogs – eight-yearold Lola, a Shih Tzu, and four-year-old rescue Lurcher Lawrence.

“Lawrence is a beautiful Saluki-Greyhound cross,” John explains. “He had a bad start in life, but he’s so gentle and is the most beautiful soul. He loves physical contact and looks gangly and awkward but then, when he’s having twominute zoomies around the garden, it’s beautiful to watch.”

As well as running, Lawrence’s other passions include sleeping and eating.

“Lola’s the boss; we had her first and it was important to find a rescue dog that was compatible to her. Lawrence is submissive to her, and will lie down as low as he can when playing with her.”

In John’s hectic life, the dogs are a calming influence.

“I enjoy being busy,” he says.

“I’m at my most agitated if I have nothing to do.” Not that the situation arises very often. He has just been instructed to challenge the government’s DUP deal and is also representing some Grenfell Tower residents.

Pen to paper When he’s not working, campaigning, and writing for television and theatre, or penning columns for the national press – or us! – he finds a long walk is the best form of recreation.

“Seeing the dogs sniff about and take in their environment is relaxing,” he muses.

Once the walks are over, it’s back to work.

“I am very determined and focused to work closely with the range of animal welfare groups who do a tremendous amount of work out there, Brian May’s Save Me, Born Innocent, the Animal Welfare Foundation, and, of course, the superb Dogs Today team, to do right by our animals.” r Turn over to read John’s inaugural column.

t

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31/07/2017 11:56

Legal Beagle

A

s someone who been failing all of us for the has been involved last 25 years, almost as long in animal welfare as I have been active as an for over 25 years, animal welfare campaigner.

I am often asked As a lawyer, I can tell you by jurists and other legal that it is perfectly possible to colleagues about the impact of enact legislation that would the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. prevent dogs of all breeds and This act seeks to reduce descriptions being kept for bites by focusing on dogs antisocial purposes, such as that look a certain way and by dog fighting or for the purpose imposing draconian penalties of threatening or owner when dog-bite incidents posturing, and to disqualify occur, including the criminal those who do so from owning prosecution of owners who or possessing dogs in the own dogs that look like Pit Bulls future. There are many capable but have never done anything charities who are able to wrong. rehome canine victims of such However, it is becoming behaviour without the need increasingly clear to dog for euthanasia. owners, experts and canine The conduct of the societies that this statute fails police when they seize dogs both society, the dog owner also needs to be critically and the dog. considered. Born Innocent According to NHS figures has found that many owners published in 2015, the number confronted by the police do of recorded bites actually not understand their legal The Dangerous Dogs Act increased by over 76 per cent rights. An analysis of data isn’t keeping anyone safe; in in the previous 10 years. At the released by the Metropolitan same time, the All-Party fact, dog bites have increased Police reveals that 27.5 Parliamentary Group for Animal cent of dogs killed are significantly in the last decade. per Welfare (APGAW) states that it simply signed over by their There is a better way – as costs the NHS over £3 million owner in ignorance of their to deal with bites annually, rights to protect their dog.

Canada can prove... coupled with the enforcement No tests on the dog are of dog welfare costs to the conducted. However, where a government of over £50 million dog has been examined by a fully independent canine expert, two a year.

With growing concern by out of three of them do not even responsible dog owners, meet the current specification to be considered a Pit Bull type. In legislators and leading charities, Born Innocent other words, the owners should (www.borninnocent.co.uk), of not even be prosecuted under which I am patron, works to change breed-specific legislation. the Dangerous Dogs Act by applying The fact is, this legislation is scientific and legal expertise a failure. There is a better way. combined with rational argument.

In Calgary, Canada, community The team is run by volunteers with education and prevention has a professional background, who brought about a significant are tackling these vital issues, decline in biting of over 70 per while lobbying in the highest cent. It can be done, but quarters for change. our legislators need to So-called breedrecognise this and act now specific legislation has for all our sakes. r

Professor John Cooper QC has been involved in animal welfare issues for over 25 years. He was at the forefront of the campaign to criminalise hunting with hounds and introduce the Hunting Act 2004. Presently, he is an emissary for the Animal Welfare Foundation, a spokesperson for Brian May’s Save Me and a patron of Born Innocent, for which he recently received the Unsung Hero award from Dogs Today at DogFest.

He has written widely on animal welfare, combining his experience in the field with being one of the leading QCs in the country.

He is the proud owner of a rescue Lurcher called Lawrence and a Shih Tzu called Lola.

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Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 11:56

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DT0917_039.indd 19

31/07/2017 09:24

K-nine news

R

oxy could have been one of the thousands of young, healthy, friendly, beautiful Staffies that are destroyed every year for want of a rescue space or a home. Fortunately, she ended up in the care of RSPCA West Hatch last November, aged two years, after her previous owner no longer wanted her.

There she caught the eye of kennel supervisor Sue Dicks, who saw past breed stereotypes and spotted Roxy’s potential as a search dog. Seeing Roxy’s natural drive at hunting out hidden tennis balls, Sue got in touch with Wiltshire Police, and she was adopted by police dog trainer PC Lee Preston Webb and his team in January this year.

Within six months, Roxy completed training and qualified as the UK’s first ever Staffie explosive detection dog.

“Roxy’s job now is to attend search requests with her handler,” explains PC Webb. “The team form part of a larger search team trained in searching vehicles, buildings, routes and areas for explosives to help to ensure public safety at various events.”

Talent spotters Roxy with her handler PC Mike Barrett

RSPCA West Hatch, in Taunton, Somerset, has a brilliant track record at spotting doggie talent. Although most of the dogs it has rehomed to the police have been spaniels, as you’d expect, five other Staffies have successfully been recruited as police dogs of one kind or another,

f f a t S t h g i r e Th

An unwanted Staffordshire Bull Terrier who landed in rescue has become the first ever rescue Staffie to qualify as a police explosives search dog 40

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Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 12:08

Words: Claire Horton-Bussey

Crucial element “I look specifically at the dog’s willingness to retrieve, whether the dog will search unaided for a length of time, whether it can use its nose over its sight, its ability to overcome obstacles, its agility and health and how it reacts and engages with its own kind,” he explains.

“Roxy performed very well during the initial assessment.

From the outset, I had a good ‘gut’ feeling.”

PC Webb fostered Roxy from the centre, allowing him to carry out further assessment in a variety of environments.

“She came home with me and joined our family of three dogs: Kos, my Staffie cross retired police dog, also from West Hatch; Meg, a Belgian Shepherd Malinois, also from the centre; and Jake our pet Springer Spaniel. Oh, and I must not forget to mention Toby the cat!”

Having satisfied himself that she was environmentally sound (ability to work almost anywhere), PC Webb started training: teaching her to search for, locate and indicate the various substances required for an explosives detection dog.

He says, “I used clickermarker training during the training process. The clicker allows me to accurately mark and then reward a desired behaviour. All of Dogs Today September 2017

9_Staffie_Roxy.indd 41

Staff appraisal So what is special about the Staffie?

We all know what fantastic family pets and companions they can make – but what qualities do they have in the field of police work?

PC Webb says, “For me, the breed has shown its self to be fun-loving, hardworking and tenacious when put to task. The dogs I have selected have had surprisingly good nasal ability and endurance. They are sensitive dogs, requiring a sympathetic handler. They thrive on affection, as well as a toy reward in most cases, but, like people, each dog is different. They generally seek to please.”

PC Webb says he is, “Proud to train dogs on ability, not looks.”

our dogs, whether trained in explosives or drugs, firearms or currency, are required to indicate a find in a passive non-invasive manner.

“An explosive detection dog course normally runs for eight weeks. Roxy was going to an experienced handler, Mike Barrett, so I was tasked to prepare her for a shortened course.

This involved teaching her to find all the required substances, and the basics of each type of search.

Fighting prejudice The RSPCA thanks PC Webb for his commitment to rescue dogs and Staffies.

Says Anita Clark from West Hatch, “We would like to thank PC Lee Webb for his absolute dedication to using rescue dogs, and for the amazing work he has done in changing the way people view Staffies.”

But as far as PC Webb’s concerned, using rescue dogs is a no-brainer and has distinct advantages over buying or breeding puppies.

“Using rescue dogs, as opposed to breeding or purchasing, is, in my opinion, ethically the right thing to do. In many cases, the dog’s potential is relatively evident from the start. There are thousands of dogs in rescue centres throughout the country. I feel that the potential, particularly in relation to Staffies, is untapped. You do not have to wait for a puppy to develop, and you are not purchasing dogs from dealers, thereby saving what is effectively public money.”

PC Webb was won over to the Staffie breed thanks to his own dog, Kos, who was also rehomed from West Hatch. Now retired and living at home with him, Kos was originally his working drugs detection dog.

“Before Kos, I had not given the breed much thought. Having been around dogs most of my life, and having come across a fair few Staffies operationally as a dog handler, I certainly did not

Roxy with PC Webb

including PC Webb’s former police dog, Kos. “A call from Sue Dicks means that there is always potential. Over the last decade, Sue and I have grown together in identifying what works and what doesn’t.

Whilst there is always an assessment process, gut feeling has become equally important.”

Sue had already assessed Roxy’s interest in retrieving and searching for a ball; the next stage was a more formal assessment – this time, with a complete stranger: PC Webb.

have the view shared by some of the national press.

I have always found the breed to be friendly around people, and shared the view that they are particularly good with children.

“I believe, and I do not mean this disrespectfully to anybody that has been subject to any form of dog attack, that the breed is misrepresented in the press. Factually, you are more likely to be bitten by a Dachshund. A fear culture has developed surrounding the Staffordshire breed.

Risk factor “It is common in my profession for managers to make decisions, quite rightly, based on risks to the organisation. This is probably why you do not see many bull breeds as police dogs – just one incident could be damaging to the service’s reputation and confidence in the police. The selection of suitable dogs is therefore paramount. In some ways, these dogs need to be better than their better-known counterparts!

“There is also a belief that these dogs were not bred to be search dogs in the true sense, like the Springer Spaniel or Labrador Retriever.

Opinions and long-held beliefs are difficult to change, particularly in a risk-adverse environment. I am lucky to have been supported in my ethos of selection of dogs based on ability, not looks.”

This sentiment is backed up by fellow police dog trainer Ian Partington, who says, “Here at Tri-Force Specialist Operations Dog Unit, which covers Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset, and Gloucestershire, it is really important to us that we have the best dogs doing the job – this is irrespective of their breed or background.”

And Roxy is certainly one of the best – flying the flag for misrepresented Staffies everywhere. r 41

31/07/2017 12:08

K-nine news

: ; The

Cocker Spaniel puppies. Photo by Tim Rose (www.timrosephotography.co.uk)

Great

Debate

Should you get two pups from the same litter?

Raising a dog from puppyhood is extremely rewarding, but it also poses challenges – which double if you decide to take home two puppies from the same litter.

Many behaviourists, breeders and shelters discourage adopting siblings, as this might result in ‘littermate syndrome’ – a situation where the pups are so bonded that they are unable to develop their individual coping skills with the world around them, resulting in unruly behaviour, lack of self-confidence, and severe distress if separated even for a short time.

While it is not set in stone, they say, it’s not a risk worth taking.

Others argue that, while adopting two littermates poses some challenges, there is no reason why a prepared owner shouldn’t be able to properly train each of them individually so that they grow into well-behaved and happy adults, and that the pups will be happier with a sibling as their playmate in the new home.

Is it advisable to adopt two puppies from the same litter?

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Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 12:12

W

e debated whether to get two siblings from the same litter. Having had one Golden Retriever before, wishing that he had a playmate, we liked the idea of having two. Reading articles and forums online nearly put us off, but we decided to stick with our original gut instinct and go with two.

We choose two boys – one of the biggest boys and one of the smallest boys. From the moment we took them home, they were best friends. They comforted each other and played with each other. We separated them initially to sleep and walk and they both got on well without each other, but also loved the times when we walked them together and let them sleep in the same room.

The love they have for each other is strong and the bond they have with us seems no different to when we only had one Golden Retriever. They still like you to play with them, stroke them and snuggle up with them, and they both respond to commands just as well as one dog would.

They are now two years old and are the best of friends. I wouldn’t say that having two was a lot more work than having one, or more difficult.

If you have room for two in your home and heart, and can give them unconditional love for their whole lives, go for it!

Kelly Ann Thomson

Yes!

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y sisterin-law had a brothersister pair and it didn’t work out because they were not socialised individually and relied too much on each other.

I am sure it can be done right but, as doing so takes a lot of time and effort, I think most households are unfit to raise two pups from the same litter. Unless someone has previous experience, or the help of a behaviourist, I would advise against it.

Tara Stone

No!

W

e had two Lurcher females and now two Rottweiler females from the same litter. Each time we have chosen the runt and the biggest, and it’s a match made in heaven.

Debbie Martin

Yes!

Dogs Today September 2017

10_Great Debate.indd 43

I

think training one puppy at time is easier and gives better results. Pups tend to get carried away by siblings. The last thing you need when socialising and training your puppy is a more unruly puppy undoing all your work. An older dog in the house to set an example, though, would be ideal!

John Christie

No!

M

um’s most recent two, and the two before that, were littermate brother and sisters. In each case, she went to the rescue for one, and the other had been let down/rejected so she agreed to take both!

The first two were very well adjusted (apart from constant barking in the car!). The second two came under a ‘neuter before six months’ agreement and although the girl was fully developed by then, her brother wasn’t – either physically or emotionally. He was very clingy and couldn’t cope without his sister around.

Fortunately, he passed first.

Bridget Parslow

Maybe

W

e brought home sevenweek-old brother and sister Goldendoodles four years ago. We did it on purpose; they needed a playmate while the kids and my husband were gone all day. They were close as puppies, preferring to nap near each other, or seeing what the other one was doing with the kids outside. We have four kids, who helped keep them occupied.

They have different personalities, and they complement each other. We love having them in our family, and don’t regret getting two at the same time. It was what our family needed.

Ann Robinson

Yes!

O

ne of my dogs is a rescue, and he was brought into the shelter because he didn’t get alone with his littermate.

The previous owners bit off more than they could chew and the dogs paid the price.

Emmy Smith

No!

I

have brother and sister Whippets – best decision I’ve ever made. They are brilliant together, but loving and affectionate with us. I would do it again, with one warning: the first few months are very hard work. Make time for them as individuals and treat their personalities accordingly.

Louise Godfrey

Yes!

W

e bought two Yorkie puppies back in the 90s when we had no knowledge of this. They were both amazing. They loved each other, played together, and slept in one basket. They were easy to train, walked to heel, had OK recall (unless they were in mid-chase!) and had a wonderful bond with us. They were hilarious. I still miss them. Sadly, one died at five from pancreatitis and the other lived until 15. Wonderful dogs.

Kate Watson

Yes!

N

o, not a good idea. It can work out, but it’s not worth the risk.

If they don’t get along, the problem is obvious. If they get so attached that they’re co-dependent and cannot function as individuals, how will one dog cope when the other is away for whatever reason or dies early?

Matt Worrall

No!

M

y mum had two female Jack Russells from the same litter and they were very close. Never had a problem.

However, when one of them had a litter of puppies, the lady who bought two of the male puppies ended up having to find a new home for one of them, as they had a big fight and had to be separated.

Julie Woolgar

Maybe

I

have two Mastiffs – a brother and a sister. The sister was the runt; her brother has her back, but it’s not needed. We’ve had no problems with having them together.

Ron Perry

Yes!

t

43

31/07/2017 12:12

No!

W

e adopted two rescue Whippets in 2014. Eric and Jim are seven years old and are bonded littermates. They were in rescue kennels for two very long years, waiting for their forever home to come along, as the rescue decided it wasn’t in their best interests to separate them.

Eric and Jim do absolutely everything together – eating out of the same bowl at mealtimes and sleeping together.

They never have a disagreement or grumble at each other and spend most of their time wrapped around each other in our bed or on the sofa. They can be slightly unruly at times, and if one dog barks at something, then the other will join in and they can wind each other up very quickly, but it’s always short-lived and they can easily be brought back under control.

Sadly, just eight months after we adopted them, Jim was diagnosed with cancer after having a small lump removed from his leg. He has since had more surgery but is doing well and I hope he will be with us for a long time yet. I really don’t know how Eric would cope if he lost his brother and that certainly is a worry when you have a bonded pair of littermates.

I think the decision on whether to have littermates living under the same roof depends very much on the dog and, to some extent, the breed.

Sian Greenock

Maybe

I

have a brother and sister who had been dumped in a lane.

They have a great craic together. Both of them sleep on top of my other dog, and the cat piles on top of them! No issues. Sometimes people need to find things to blether about. No need to create problems where there aren’t any.

Una Gillespie

Yes!

44

10_Great Debate.indd 44

I

have a neighbour who has two sisters, and no matter how much she insists that her dogs are perfectly fine, anybody can tell they have issues. I think she’s in denial.

Those two dogs are together all the time and, if you remove one from the picture, the other cries and cries. They don’t bond with other dogs. One of them had a health scare last year and the biggest worry was for the other – I don’t think she would function without her sister, and that’s sad.

Miriam Dashiell

I

have my second pair of Labrador litter sisters. I was advised not to do it, but I have done it twice and will do it again.

Sue Roper

Yes!

M

y mum had to rehome one of the dogs she adopted.

They were littermates and didn’t get along as well as she’d hoped after they grew into adults.

They both are happy to meet at the dog park now, but are not meant to live together.

Sean Johnson

Maybe

T

wo puppies playing together in the house makes for a cute picture, but reality can take a much uglier turn. We have two siblings, but not from the same litter! We took home a puppy, raised him well, and welcomed his little sister in our home when he was about a year and a half. He was thrilled to be a big brother and very eager to help her settling in – so much easier than having to handle two puppies at once!

Sandra Wells

No!

If you have an opinion on this subject that is not already covered here email enquiries@ dogstodaymagazine.co.uk putting ‘Littermates’ in the subject line. Please limit your response to 100 words max.

Next month’s topic is ‘Is it ok to dye dogs’ hair in pet salons?’

Email editorial@dogstoday magazine.co.uk with your thoughts, putting ‘Hair dye’ in the subject line or write to ‘Great Debate’, Dogs Today, The Old Print House, 62 The High St, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AA

W

e had two LabradorGolden Retriever cross sisters. They were the best of friends and also good with other dogs and people.

One had to be put to sleep in the January and in the March the other one died in her sleep. I’m sure she missed her sister so much. They were both nearly 14 years old and were an absolute joy to own.

Daphne Bagnall

Yes!

Great Debate results 17%

W

e have had two Pomeranian sisters from the same litter, which we raised with very little problem. The only time we cursed having two was when mischief had occurred and we weren’t sure of the culprit!

Michelle Cherrington

Yes!

Join the debate!

54%

29%

Yes

No

Maybe

Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 12:13

We have 20 pairs of tickets to give away! To enter, send us your name, address, and contact telephone number to: Discover Dogs giveaway, Dogs Today, The Old Print House, 62 High Street, Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8AA, or email competitions@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk with ‘Discover Dogs’ in the title. Closing date: 14 September 2017, after which time, 20 winners will be picked at random. Good luck!

Win!

Tickets (including fees) cost £15.40 for adults, £12.10 for children aged 9-15 and other concessions, and under-8s go free. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www. discoverdogs.org.uk

Discover Dogs

Eukanuba Discover Dogs returns to ExCeL London on 21-22 October 2017 – and we have tickets to give away!

L

ondon’s Eukanuba Discover Dogs event returns later this year, as thousands of dog lovers head to the ExCeL London on 21 and 22 October to meet and greet almost 200 different pedigree breeds.

Tickets are now on sale for one of the city’s most unique events, with visitors able to shop for doggie products and watch fun four-legged displays and competitions, as well as getting advice on buying a dog responsibly.

With over 26,000 visitors last year, the show will feature popular breeds such as the Labrador Retriever, as well as unusual breeds like the Hungarian Puli. There will also be a special area dedicated to the Kennel Club’s vulnerable native breeds, such as the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and Otterhound, whose numbers are declining and whose status within the world of dogs has diminished over the years.

The Russian Toy will be in attendance at the show for the first time ever, after being recognised by the Kennel Club earlier this year. This small breed was originally developed as a

Dogs Today September 2017

Discover Dogs.indd 45

companion dog for Russian nobility over a hundred years ago but fell out of favour after the Russian Revolution, as they were seen as a dog for the ruling classes.

Also new for this year is the Young Kennel Club Interactive activity ring, providing the opportunity for the younger visitors to have a go at agility, learn to train a dog, and take part in an obstacle course with some of the ‘professional’ dogs at the event. These young visitors will be assisted by volunteer handlers to guide them and give them advice with whatever they try.

Jump in Eukanuba Discover Dogs is a fun, family event that celebrates our unique relationship with dogs, in addition to educating people about the importance of choosing the right breed for their lifestyle and making sure they buy a puppy responsibly.

Caroline Kisko, secretary of the Kennel Club, which runs the event, said, “Anyone looking to buy a dog should attend Eukanuba Discover Dogs. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet almost

200 pedigree dog breeds, of all shape and sizes, and to find out which breed is best suited to their lifestyle.

Breeders will be on hand to discuss caring for, training and living with each breed, which will help visitors make responsible choices when it comes to buying a puppy.

“But the show isn’t just for prospective dog owners – we welcome dog lovers of all ages to come along and learn more about the breeds they might not have heard of before, such as the Cirneco dell’Etna or the Lagotto Romagnolo, as well as to meet familiar favourites such as the Golden Retriever or the Cocker Spaniel. We would also advise visitors to go and see our vulnerable native breeds, as you will rarely see these dogs on the streets, and one of them could be perfectly suited to your lifestyle.

“Eukanuba Discover Dogs is a great way of seeing all the fantastic work that the Kennel Club breed rescue organisations do for dogs who aren’t as fortunate as others. Thousands of dogs come into breed rescue every year, either because

their owners cannot cope or because they were mistreated.

“Unfortunately, despite there being more information out there than ever before, people still continue to buy dogs on a whim because of celebrity trends or because of how the dog looks. The show aims to give visitors the best advice, whether that’s buying a puppy or rehoming a rescue dog, so that the most informed decision can be made for both the dog and its owner.

“Aside from meeting and greeting hundreds of different pedigree dogs, there is also a range of trade stands at the show, offering everything from elegant leads to tasty treats for dogs. We have exciting agility displays as well as the Scruffts semifinals for crossbreed dogs, which are always huge crowd pleasers.” r 45

31/07/2017 12:16

Take ten

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Take Ten.indd 46

Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 13:25

1

3

2

What do you know of Maya’s background?

Maya was about two years old when we rescued her. Her owner was finding it difficult to look after her and provide enough exercise, so my husband and I offered to temporarily support and exercise Maya with our dogs. The babysitting became permanent and we were very happy with that.

Maya’s previous owner still meets her and Maya still recognises her and gets excited to say hello.

Have you always had dogs?

My dad was a dairyman and looked after working collies to round up the cows and bring them from the field to the dairy. The whole family were involved with the farm collies.

How did it feel when Maya won Holyrood dog of the year?

I was very proud of Maya for winning. She has a great personal story and a super personality. Her win allows me to highlight the work I am doing regarding illegal puppy trafficking.

Emma Harper is a member of the Scottish Parliament for South Scotland and owner of four-year-old Border Collie Maya. A rescue dog, Maya was named as top dog in the first Holyrood Dog of the Year contest that took place in May. The contest, which is organised by the Kennel Club, follows in the footsteps of the Westminster Dog of the Year contest in recognising worthy political pooches. Judge Bill Lambert from the Kennel Club said, “The bond between Emma and Maya is undeniable; this was clear to the judges who were very impressed by the pair.”

10

4

Have you had any memorable holidays with Maya?

Does Maya ever go to work with you?

I visited Arran for a distillery open day with all three of my dogs and stayed in a dogfriendly hotel, which had a great beer garden for exercise.

9 Do you have a favourite doggie day out?

7

How would you like to see the current situation change?

She came to parliament on the day she won. Sir Paul Grace CEO opened up parliament for all the dogs that day and Maya had her photo taken with Paul and many other MSPs that day. She also comes to visits with me when I go to meet people across the constituency. There are many places to stop and chuck a ball on my visits. She is also happy to come into the regional office and likes to wriggle when she says hi to the office staff.

Start with educating people about the best way to obtain a dog. Go to a shelter Taking the dogs running in or rehoming centre. Those dogs are chipped, the forest, or the beach, assessed and often even trained to sit, stay or anywhere where Why is the issue of puppy etc. If a person must get a puppy, they need to they can fetch farming so important to you? see it with its mother, preferably in a homely the ball.

I read about and saw the conditions situation. Regulating the way breeders are that factory farmed dogs are bred in – dirty licensed is also a way to proceed. This conditions, no human contact, no exercise, could afford better traceability of pups. kept in the dark, some places even have Good breeders are happy to automatic food dispensers, which further reduces be known as good the need for human interaction. The raising of breeders.

What’s the pups in absence of proper socialisation and care naughtiest or most can lead to behaviour problems in the future and embarrassing thing Maya sometimes the puppies don’t survive, as they has done? can succumb to parvovirus or other Chased a neighbour’s wee Describe diseases, which requires vet white dog as if it were a cat.

Maya in just intervention and can lead to the Maya seems to like to three words requirement to euthanise chase cats off the Bonnie wee the puppy. property. lass.

5

8

6

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Do you have a problem you’d like answered by an expert? Or do you want advice from someone with personal experience of the issue? Email your query to enquiries@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk Question

Expert advice

T

hey are sold as the must-have accessory for summer, but do cooling coats really work?

Katy Orton, PDSA vet nurse There are many types of cooling coat, but there is currently no scientific evidence that shows how well they work or whether they are more effective than a cool shower. The best advice is to avoid overheating in the first place. Ensure your dog’s coat is kept clipped and they have regular access to shade and fresh water. Never walk or exercise your dog at the warmest times of the day. If you would be uncomfortable wearing a coat outside, then it is too hot for your dog to be out.

A nice way to provide some relief from hot temperatures is to freeze a damp towel and allow your dog to lie on it. Some dogs may enjoy a cool, but not cold, shower.

If dogs do overheat, they should be gently cooled with wet towels. Fast cooling with icy water can cause further illness. If you think your dog has heat stroke, contact your vet immediately for emergency advice and treatment.

Expert advice Ken Roberts, Aquamat Chiller In simple terms, temperature is a measure of the energy in a substance and the speed at which molecules in the substance are moving.

The warmer an object, the faster the molecules move. Some move faster than others, but an overall kinetic energy level is determined. When the movement of water molecules is fast enough, then some escape the liquid state to become gas (water vapour) and this decreases the overall kinetic energy of the water, which is to say the temperature of the water.

When humans sweat, it is the evaporation of sweat (the escape of water molecules from liquid state to gas state) that cools us. A cooling coat (in which the dog stays dry) uses this change of state of water in hot conditions to continually lower overall kinetic energy or temperature of the water in the coat and reduce the temperature of the dog through conduction.

It is clear that to work, the cooling coat must be wet. The coat must be re-wet when necessary or removed from the dog. We stress this point on our website, in our sales literature and on Facebook.

Quick Question

Especially given the frequent use of working dogs – often in extreme situations at high temperatures – it’s surprising that there is little fully evaluated scientific information on the prevention or treatment of heat stroke. There is also little understanding of how conventional rectal temperature relates to core temperature, and different individuals may show signs of heat stroke over a widely varying range of rectal body temperatures.

Research carried out on people is of limited value – the mechanisms by which dogs lose heat are different. Even the oft-repeated maxim not to use iced water for cooling the overheated has not been scientifically proven (which doesn’t mean it’s not true). And most of the research is based on young, fit and healthy dogs. The situation is different in the elderly, overweight or chronically sick, who are generally much less heat tolerant.

Dissipating heat by evaporation (largely from panting) is very important to dogs – but they can also cool down by reducing activity, getting out of the sun and lying on cold surfaces.

Humidity (higher humidity reduces ability to cool down) and airflow influence the ability to cool by evaporation, but activity (the vigour and length) is also important. Dogs who are acclimatized (which takes 10-20 days) have a much better tolerance for heat.

Prevention is better than cure. Remember that an excited or highly motivated dog may not show the early signs of weakness, lethargy or confusion – and may forget to drink – so be sure to build rest periods into activity and to encourage your pet to drink. Remember that a muzzle will limit your pet’s ability to lose heat by panting.

It’s very uncertain whether cooling jackets offer an advantage in preventing heat stroke, but they do improve thermal comfort and ‘performance’ in human athletes. It also seems that cooling before and during exercise may allow a faster ‘recovery’.

But cooling vests aren’t essential and measures such as allowing rest in a cool place, wetting the dog’s coat and above all, providing lots of water and encouraging your dog to drink are as good. Hydration is vital. A cooling jacket will never be sufficiently reliable to allow you to take your pet to the park for a vigorous ball game in the heat of the day.

There are sometimes concerns that, when they dry out, cooling jackets might actually increase temperature. Again, it’s not scientifically proven, but a study of military dogs wearing Kevlar vests at exercise found that their core temperatures didn’t go higher than those without. The same study also found that cooling jackets seemed to allow the dogs to cool down more rapidly.

Expert advice

Caroline Reay, Blue Cross chief vet

Dogs Today September 2017

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Aquamat Chiller

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My Dog Crush

M

Whippet

Mia. Photo by Joe Riley, Bounders Dog Photography (www.bounders.co.uk, www.facebook.com/boundersdogphotography)

Blue, Scout & Ollie. Photo by Kerry Jordan (www.whippetsnippets.co.uk)

any of us have ’dog crushes’ – soft spots for breeds or types that we love but know we’ll probably never own for lots of terribly sensible reasons.

Maybe you don’t have enough hours in the day for the dog you dream of.

Perhaps you have a wandering eye and there are just too many dogs to fit into a lifetime. Or possibly you already have a house squashed full of adored allsorts that chose you.

In this feature we go through popular dog crushes and take a fresh look at what it would be like to actually live with them.

If you want even more detailed info, download our Fido Facts. But if you just want to gaze and dream of what might have been, this is the feature for you!

Dogs Today September 2017

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T

hese dainty hounds are fast but lazy and always happy to go duvet diving.

Affectionate towards their family members, they generally get on well with strangers and other dogs.

Sponsored by

Photo by Tim Rose (www.timrosephotography.co.uk)

Ch a

Our survey of Whippet owners revealed: ... ter c Whippets ra

love sleep ing and demand e xtra-comfy beds – especially yours. The y can be sensitiv e souls wit h 20% reacting b adly to lou d noises, such as th under, and 25% suffering fr om separation 25% anxiety have no to some guarding in degree. stinct at all and 33% are ‘quiet as a mouse’.

... alth e H 50% of

our Whipp ets are the health iest dogs their owners ha ve ever kn own and only 10% have made the vet a Whippets fortune. can be pro ne to heart dise ase, and Whippets 33% of our own ers have very recommen thin d skin, which testing for can this easily bec condition. ome scratched and damaged.

Luna. Photo by CatsDog Photography (www.catsdog.co.uk, www.facebook.com/catsdogphotography)

Exe

&

rc Only 33 % ise of our own ers say their dogs are easy to train, although m any say a fondness food helps for to get a W hippet’s att Nonethele ention. ss, only 23% of the dog reliable rec s have all and the majority ha strong pre ve a very y drive – a lthough ma sure what ny aren’t to do whe n they finally catc h up with th ose bunnies an d squirrels Short . bursts of in tense sprinting m When not ean that m ost don’t need out chasin really long g things, walks.

Nearly 5 Whippets love nothin 0% get between g more than 45 minutes to curl up and an ho somewhere ur a day, and le cosy. 8 ss than 0 % o 5 f our over Whippets % get two hours are couch . A couple potatoes and many o f s h ort walks s of our own eems to ers say their dogs be preferr are particu ed to one la rly reluctant to long hike. go out in wet weath er.

g... inin tra

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Dog Crush.indd 51

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My Dog Crush

Traits: ●

Gentle

●

Sweet

●

Affectionate

●

Laid-back

●

Snuggly

●

Faithful

Origins:

Misty. Photo by Katrina Wilson (www.katrinawilsonphotography.co.uk)

A

rt gallery visitors will know that a breed of dog that resembles a miniature Greyhound has been around for a very long time. Knee-high sighthounds often feature in Greek and Roman hunting scenes and Renaissance portraits, though the Whippet as we know it today is a relatively modern creation.

Whippets were a familiar feature in many working-class homes in the industrialised north of England by the late 19th century and they were first shown as a breed at a show in Darlington in 1876. These swift canines were cheap to feed and easy to house, and they earned their keep by catching rabbits. They even provided weekend entertainment at informal races, earning them the nickname ‘the poor man’s racehorse’.

Whippets were often much cherished by their owners and allowed to live inside the home long before some more well-to-do dogs (who traditionally lived in outdoor kennels).

Whippets were even used to warm children's beds – a function they will still happily perform today if permitted.

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Dog Crush.indd 52

Millie & Luna. Photo by CatsDog Photography (www.catsdog.co.uk, www.facebook.com/catsdogphotography)

Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 13:34

Best names:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Margot Blue Bracken Twiggy Walnut Dash Grace Fred

Photo by Alice Loder (www.aliceloderphotography.co.uk)

An owner’s view Photo by Rachel Bradshaw (www.rachelbradshawphotography.co.uk)

Sharon Hopkins shares her home with three Whippets, Flo, Morgan and Dotty – all rescues

S

haron had never had Whippets before, but fell totally in love with the breed after adopting Flo, who was found wandering around in a terrible condition.

“They’re a fantastic breed,” she says. “They are like big cats.”

They sleep a lot and they are placid and gentle. At night, they are not only on the bed, but buried right under the covers. “Flo nudges me to lift the duvet up for her.” This

is a common experience for Whippet owners!

Although easygoing at home, off the lead is a different story. “Their recall is awful,” says Sharon, and they will catch and kill squirrels.

Sharon wonders if things might be easier if she’d had her dogs as puppies and says she does see Whippets walking to heel. She is careful where she lets them off for a run – beaches are ideal. They are also perfect camping companions. r

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Mad t Abou ets p Whip

u ps

Best Fa

b ook g ro

My Dog Crush

ce

pet Whip ion eciat Appr y t Socie

Scout. Photo by Kerry Jordan (www.whippetsnippets.co.uk)

Whippet antics: “Caught him surfing on the kitchen counter, trying to find food.”

“When wearing her jumper, she scratches her butt on things and it looks like she’s twerking.”

“Lies upside-down like a dead cockroach.”

Downsides: ●

●

●

“Tried to shake my bra to death.”

“Made me carry him over a puddle.”

“Pretends to need to go out and then steals my warm seat when I get up.”

●

Notorious kleptomaniacs and expert stealers of food Literally thin-skinned, Whippets are prone to skin injuries Can be a little over-sensitive, clingy and needy Lovers of soft furnishings.

Whippets really, really want to sleep in your bed!

“They like being under things: cushions, duvets, throws. Never sit on a covered sofa without checking for ‘dog bumps’.”

Toffee. Photo by Kerry Jordan (www.whippetsnippets.co.uk)

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Love the breed? Shop the breed  Be as stylish as your Whippet with this oilcloth handbag from Susie Faulks (£70), featuring an original ‘chasing hounds’ design. Made using high-quality materials, free of animal products. The design also features on Susie’s Whippet Tote Bag (£32) and matching purse (£15) and there’s plenty of room for treats. www.susiefaulks.co.uk  Whippet cowls for your dashing hound, made to order by Carol Shaw at Rocking Pony. Your Whippet will not only be the trendiest dog in town, but the chunky material will help keep him warm as we head towards the latter part of the year. Prices start at £9.99. www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RockingPony  This Whippet Up tote bag features an exclusive design from illustrator Abigail Edwards and all profits go to charities Galgos Del Sol and Yo Galgo, who help rescue, rehabilitate and rehome thousands of Spanish Greyhounds in need. Bags cost £10 plus P&P. For more information on Whippet Up walks, go to facebook.com/whippetuplondon or visit www.whippetup.bigcartel.com

 Charming textile Whippet art from Mummy Minestrone to adorn the wall of a Whippet’s family home. Made using French linen and Liberty of London fabric. Prices start at £23.50 for a ‘sitting Whippet’ picture. www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ Mummyminestrone  Beautiful prints and ceramics by Justine Osborne at Paint My Dog. This sketch, drawn with loose charcoal, is of a Whippet called Serene. The design also features on a range of tableware and crockery, such as this teapot (£55), by Victoria Armstrong Fine Art. www.justineosborne.com

 Fancy a challenge? Wooden Cards and Gifts have over 100 hand-cut dog breed puzzles – a great gift for birthdays or Christmas. Made from MDF, the puzzles are around 10.5cm tall and are £12.95 each. www.etsy.com/uk/ listing/523262798/whippet-dog-jigsaw

Win! Follow @Dogs_Today on Twitter for the chance to win some of the fantastic products featured on this page.

Stay in control!

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Talking dogs

This is the place to ask questions, comment, help each other or ask dog world. Write to us at the address on page 6, or send an email Canidrome Greyhounds An open letter to all animal welfare organisations and dog rescue and rehoming groups:

e WI N!

The writer of our Star Letter will win a signed limited edition print by Kevin Brockbank worth ÂŁ50. Choose from Dogzilla or A Good Read. To order these prints, visit www.dogs todaymagazine.co.uk/shop.htm

Dear Friends, As many of you may be aware, in a few months’ time, the infamous Canidrome of Macau will be closing its doors forever.

Hundreds upon hundreds of Greyhounds have died there over the years without hope, but, thanks to an amazing international campaign, this hellhole will soon be ceasing to function.

This is a wonderful result, but we must not forget that the surviving dogs need a home: we will not be satisfied until every last one of them is safe.

Many of us have worked hard for years to close the Canidrome, supporting Anima-Society for the Protection of Animals (Macau), and we now urgently need the committed support of animal rescues and welfare groups from around the world.

We are appealing not only to those involved specifically in Greyhound rescue, but also to all-breed dog rescues and animal protection and rehoming groups in general.

We ask all of you to share with us a wide-ranging adoption plan for these dogs: around 650 dogs currently in Macau need to be brought to safety, obviously in full accordance with local and international regulations relating to the movement and transportation of dogs.

This is no small task, but if many people join in to help, it can be done.

The Macau Greyhounds are just one step away from safety and freedom, but this step requires a special and concrete commitment on the part of everyone who loves animals.

Those wishing to help from anywhere in the world where good animal welfare regulations are in force, please contact Albano Martins, the President of AnimaSociety for the Protection of Animals (Macau) at albano@animamacau.org Albano Martins, president, Anima Macau Christine A Dorchak, president, Grey2K USA Worldwide Stefania Traini, president, Pet Levrieri, Italy

Beagle-eyed Bea was so happy to be reading about her rescuers (and herself!) in the August magazine.

Tina Lobel, via email

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for to

ask mail

for help, support each other in the sad times and the happy times. Please join in, this is your to editorial@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk.

Golden Oldies

Tripawd community

e STAR

LETTE

R

I recently set up a Facebook group called Amputee Dog Owners Group. I am also having a website built called Three Happy Paws, aimed at dog owners who have an amputee dog.

Two years ago, I rescued a dog called Yogi, who had to have a front leg removed under my care. In January 2015, aged just four months old, Yogi was hit by a car and his leg was fractured in several places. His owners took him to the vet and he had two major operations to put the leg back together. He spent most of his days in a cage, as he was not allowed to move around much.

That March, the owners could no longer cope with him and contacted a rescue centre for help, saying they would have no choice but to dump him somewhere. The owner took Yogi to an arranged veterinary centre, and just left him with one teddy.

The rescue contacted me and asked if I would like to foster him temporarily. I jumped at the chance, as I wanted a friend for Pudsey, my Lhasa Apso. Little did I know that I would fall madly in love with Yogi and adopt him.

However, the damage to Yogi’s leg was a lot worse than first thought. After three operations in total, it was decided the best chance for him to live a normal and happy life was to have his leg amputated.

It was not an easy decision, and I was frightened for him.

Would he be able to stand? Would he be able to run? Would he be happy? But the thought of him being in pain was unthinkable.

With a very heavy heart, I agreed for him to have it done.

The operation took a couple of hours and when I first saw him, I was so shocked, I cried my heart out. His little face was so happy to see me. Despite his missing leg, his tail wagged like mad. His leg looked shocking – it reminded me of a plucked chicken that had been sewn together. I took him home and laid him on a soft bed of quilts. I expected a really bad night with him, but, to my astonishment, he seemed a lot brighter.

The next morning, he could stand up with no help. He was a bit wobbly and unsteady, but he seemed to adjust to the lost limb. I honestly could not believe it. From this moment on, he just got better and better!

The Facebook group is at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/678178519032526/?ref=bookmarks To see it, you would have to join, as it is a closed group. There are so many amazing stories on there from dog owners, and the help and support they get is invaluable.

Jo Clifton and Yogi, via email Dogs Today September 2017

Talking Dogs Sep.indd 57

Top dog

Thank you for picking my ‘Golden Oldie’ Zach as the Best in Show on Saturday at DogFest South. We were over the moon and felt very special!

I love Zach so much; he is my world and I work hard to make sure he always has whatever he needs so that we can be in each other’s lives for as long as possible.

I really liked what you said about Zach and me being what your magazine is about, as I have been an avid reader for many, many years. I always try to do the best for him, so it is really touching that you were able to see this too.

I have attached some pics of Zach with his winnings and a very big smile!

Zach celebrated his 14th birthday earlier this year while on holiday in Scotland.

Eleanor Garwood Using Zach’s age and size, we believe he would be about 103 in human years! Eleanor, you have clearly worked out the perfect formula for canine health and happiness.

Happy memories Here’s our Cav, Ozzie, and ‘Bugg’ (Boston Terrier-Pug) Dana at Dogfest! An excellent weekend with plenty to see and do – and brilliant talks from Noel Fitzpatrick and his knowledgeable team.

Rosie and David Chapman, via email 57

31/07/2017 14:20

Talking dogs Sunday 13 August

Dog Days

What: Fest of Chihuahuas, gathering Chi owners for a special day out in the grounds of Colston Hall. There will be an attempt to break the Guinness World Record Attempt for ‘the largest dog yoga class’! There will also be specialist stalls for Chihuahua-themed treats and goodies, plus competitions such as ‘Chi Idol’.

Where: Colston Hall, East Common, Gerrards Cross, SL9 7AD When: 12pm-5pm Cost: Adults £9, under 14s £6.50 (plus booking fees), under 5s free Contact: www.facebook.com/ hausofchihuahuas

Fancy a doggie day out or planning a doggie do? Find out what’s on, these appeals - or have you seen these lost dogs? Sign up free to International aid

Can you help?

Sunday 20 August What: Harvey’s Army Pawsome Pooch Party, with fun dog show, charity and trade stalls, activities for dogs and humans, rides, bouncy castle and more.

Where: Manor Heath Park, Skircoat Green, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 0EB When: 10.30am-4pm Contact: diane.ogden555@hotmail.com

Sunday 27 & Bank Holiday Monday 28 August What: All About Dogs, a jam-packed day of events, entertainment, activities, classes, competitions and shopping, including a performance from Britain’s Got Talent stars Pippa and Buddy.

Where: Norfolk Showground, New Costessey, Norwich, Norfolk, NR5 0TT When: 9.30am-5pm Cost: Adults £14 on the day (£12 online) and children £8 on the day (£6.50) Contact: www.allaboutdogsshow.co.uk/ norfolk or 01702 549623

Are you a rescue organisation or charity with a fundraiser coming up? Are you hosting a doggie event, or holding a seminar? Get in touch with all the details, and we could give you a free shout-out in the Dogs Days column!

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Talking Dogs Sep.indd 58

I

nternational Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) was set up

by Nicky Stevens in 2009, after a trip to Borneo, where he witnessed the plight of thousands of stray dogs struggling to survive. IAPWA now has a facility and team providing veterinary care and support to the region’s 10,000 strays, and has expanded to other countries, such as Romania, Malaysia, Nepal and Gran Canaria.

The charity also campaigns against the dog meat trade and extends help to wild animals in need.

As recognition of its work, IAPWA won the ‘Charity of the Year’ award at the 2015 Ceva Animal Welfare Awards. For more information and to donate online, visit www. iapwa.org You can also donate by cheque (made payable to IAPWA) by sending it to: International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals, 1B Rudds Lane, Haddenham, HP17 8JP.

Fish suppers

C

elia Cross Greyhound Trust is appealing for food donations, preferably cans of pilchards in tomato sauce – their residents’ favourite treat. This fishy addition really makes a dog’s dinner!

To make some hounds very happy, visit Celia Cross’s Amazon wishlist or send your donations to Sun Valley Farm Kennels, Shere Road, West Clandon, Surrey, GU4 8SH. There are lots of ways to help the charity, and all options can be found at www.celiacross. co.uk/support-us If you would like to contribute to an appeal but don’t have internet access, call the Dogs Today office on 01276 858880 and we will put you in touch.

Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 14:20

or s dog

or send us details of your event. Can you help with doglost.co.uk for info on dogs missing in your area Teddy Food

Lost and Found

on, to

DogLost is the UK’s biggest lost and found dog service.

Whether you’ve lost or found a dog, register for free to get assistance from a national network of volunteer helpers.

www.doglost.co.uk Join today to help reunite lost dogs in your area with their owners.

Phone: 0844 800 3220 Email: admin@doglost.co.uk HAVE YOU SEEN THESE DOGS? Polly Staffordshire Bull Terrier Polly went missing one morning last summer, disappearing from her garden in Great Ellingham, Norfolk. A young adult, Polly is brindle and white in colour, with a patch over one ear. She is quite small for her breed. Polly is microchipped.

Missing since 1 July 2016

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ussians Pavel and Varya Kotosova were walking their pet dog, Teddy, when they found a stray in need. They took her home and helped her recover, but when it was time to take her to a shelter, they wanted to know what would happen to her next.

The pair came up with Teddy Food: an online platform, allowing people to watch live videos of dogs and cats in shelters, and encouraging donations for their care. In a year, the project has worked with seven shelters, helping 269 pets as this goes to print. Now Pavel and Varya have launched a Kickstarter page to expand the project.

To pledge, visit www.kickstarter.com/projects/520287694/ teddy-food-a-new-way-to-make-homeless-pets-happy For more information, and to pick a shelter animal to donate to – and then see the results! – visit teddyfood.com/en

F

ollowing a vicious attack that left him with limited mobility, Patrick Copley decided to adopt a dog to aid his recovery.

Seven-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel J-Lo turned out to be his perfect match, but she sadly suffers from syringohydromyelia, sleep apnoea and facial nerve paralysis, requiring constant monitoring and costly medication, Help J-Lo which has already exceeded her annual insurance cover. J-Lo is currently being looked after by the staff at the Animal Health Trust (AHT), and Patrick, who relies on disability benefits, has begun fundraising to cover the costs of her ongoing care. To read more about their story and to donate, visit www.gofundme.com/to-help-jlo Dogs Today September 2017

Talking Dogs Sep.indd 59

DogLost ID: 101868

Dana Dana is a small terrier crossbreed, closely resembling a Jack Russell, who was originally rescued from Serbia. During a visit to her owner’s parents’ home in Slough, Berkshire, Dana ran off and became lost in an area she isn’t familiar with. She was wearing her collar and identification tag when she disappeared and is microchipped.

Missing since 18 June 2016

DogLost ID: 101412

SAFE AND SOUND Cocker Spaniel puppies Four eight-week-old Cocker Spaniels puppies were stolen in Quy, Cambridgeshire, last summer; two men cut a hole in the chain-link fence of the property to reach them.

It has taken almost a year to trace the puppies.

The first was bought in a dreadful condition from a traveller site, and scanned immediately by the new owner. The remaining three have all since been found in new families via their microchips, as far away as Cornwall, and there is an ongoing police investigation.

The case shows how important it is to microchip puppies as soon as it is safe to, and to always see the litter with the mother present. The first puppy was reportedly sold on for £600 – highlighting the gains to made from this despicable crime.

Lost 13 August 2016

Reunited 12 July 2017 59

31/07/2017 14:21

Talking dogs Saturday 2 September

Dog Days

What: Pup Aid 2017, now in its seventh year, to raise awareness of the UK’s puppy farming trade. Join the party in north London’s Primrose Hill, part of the Royal Parks. It’s a day of fun for all the family – four-legged included – with trade stalls, food, music, and Scruffs heats judged by some celebrity supporters.

Where: Primrose Hill, London When: 10am-6pm Contact: www.pupaid.org

Sunday 3 September What: RSPCA Millbrook’s Gala Day, with the centre’s homing parade, fun dog show, vintage cars, shire horse, Morris dancers, cakes, raffles and tombolas. Dogs welcome!

Where: RSCPA Millbrook, Guildford Road, Chobham, GU24 8EH When: From 11am Cost: Adults £4, children and OAPs £2, under 5s free. Family tickets (two adults and up to three children £12) Contact: www.rspca-millbrook.org.uk or 0300 123 0740

Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 September What: Paws in the Park Autumn Show, with ‘have a go’ activities including the ‘dogstable’ course and terrier racing, a huge array of outdoor trade stands and the ‘Barks and Spenders’ indoor mall, plus entertainment from new disc dog act The Wonder Collies.

Where: Kent Showground, Detling, Kent ME14 3JF When: 9.30am-5pm, with camping open from Friday evening Cost: Adults £9, seniors and children £7 (plus booking fees). Family tickets available Contact: www.pawsinthepark.net or 07952 971452

Are you a rescue organisation or charity with a fundraiser coming up? Are you hosting a doggie event, or holding a seminar? Get in touch with all the details, and we could give you a free shout-out in the Dogs Days column!

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Have you got an insurance query, a non-urgent veterinary question Write to us, enclosing a sae for the return of your photos, or send A Tribute to Lucy and Gizmo

O

bituaries These two very special rescue dogs, who have now passed away, will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Gizmo, a Border Collie cross, aged about five years, was adopted from the RSPCA by me and my late wife, Christine, and our two children, Emma and Scott, in January 1999.

As we walked past her kennel, she jumped up at the metal gate and barked to gain our attention. Soon after, we were all walking her and the bond between us was rapidly formed. She became an integral part of our family.

Being mostly collie, she formed a particular attachment to one person – myself. Gizmo would follow me almost everywhere; it was not unusual for me to get licked on my face during bath time.

We had many happy times together, especially during our walks in the Lake District. These adventures also helped me to cope with Christine’s advancing breast cancer and the effect it had on our family. This wonderful dog truly helped me to maintain the necessary level of mental and emotional strength required to be an effective long-term carer for my wife.

The Jack Russell was found by me on the Easter Saturday, 2002, whilst walking Gizmo. She was tied up to a dog waste bin with a rough length of cord around her neck. She had clearly been abandoned, and, after reporting her to the police, they informed us that if nobody claimed her after 28 days, we could become the legal owners, if we wanted to be, if we looked after the dog during this period.

As expected, nobody claimed this small dog. The name Lucky was originally suggested by Emma, although Christine modified this to Lucy. Our vet estimated Lucy’s age to be one year, judging by the whiteness of her teeth.

Christine passed away, at home, aged 38 years, on 31 May, 2002, after a courageous seven-year battle against cancer. During this final day, Gizmo stayed almost continuously by Christine’s side, as if she sensed the end was near.

Gizmo and Lucy got along extremely well together and a particular happy memory was when Lucy used to go bounding up to Gizmo, with a large rubber bone in her mouth, to start a ‘tug of war’ game. Lucy used to look so happy and hopeful, but inevitably Gizmo, being much bigger, would win. Lucy would look so sad and dejected, as if to say, ‘Why don’t I ever win?’

On 29 August 2007, Gizmo died at home, from a blood vessel tumour to her head, aged about 14 years. We stayed up all night with her and she passed away in the same room as my wife. We buried Gizmo the following afternoon in our front garden.

As the years progressed, Lucy became an increasingly fundamental part of my life, with Emma and Scott growing up and moving away. It dawned on me one day, as I walked Lucy around Haslingden Grane, a beautiful reservoir circular walk in Lancashire, when she was about 14 years old, that a dog remains like a child for all of its life. From the first day, until the last, their needs remain consistent. They are like children who never grow up.

Lucy had even become a ‘research canine’, when I completed my dissertation ‘An Analysis of Human Health and Animal Companionship’ for my degree in 2006. A significant part was an independent blood pressure trial involving 12 volunteer participants interacting with her. She became the talk of the college. Because of this, I consider Lucy to be a graduate as well as me.

After countless, marvellous ‘doggie’ adventures, my faithful little Lucy passed away peacefully in my arms, soon after I had returned from work, at home on 3 April 2017, aged about 16 years. My mum said it was as if she was waiting for me to come home before she died. I had her for 15 years, and, along with Gizmo, I had continuously been a dog owner for over 18 years. Lucy is now buried near to Gizmo.

Both of these amazing dogs had helped to rescue me, as much as I rescued them.

Vincent Ashton Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 14:21

or w an

or want to pay tribute to an oldie or departed pet? an email to editorial@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk Insurance Doctor

Ask the Medivet...

Hello! I’m Aimee Warner and I’m pleased to be working with Dogs Today on a monthly column answering your veterinary questions.

Please email your queries to medivet@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk MEET THE VET: Aimee Warner qualified as a veterinary surgeon at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Science in Edinburgh. She lives in Battersea, and is a partner at Medivet’s 24-Hour Continuous Care Centre in Richmond. Aimee has particular interests in surgery, internal medicine and ultrasound.

T

here was a recent case of a dog dying after licking the food recycling bin. I thought dogs were able to eat many things that would make us ill. Is their ability to eat rotten food over-stated?

Irish Setter, posed by a model

tion end

W

Paws abroad We are starting to plan for our summer holiday, as well as looking for an insurance policy for our new arrival, Irish Setter Freddie. Do insurers cover travel abroad on their standard policy, or would we need to take out separate cover?

Lucas Douglas Neil Flint, of VIP replies…

Travel cover is included in some policies and can be taken out as additional cover with other companies; this is usually covered in line with the Pet Travel Scheme. As different insurers offer different benefits, sometimes it can be better to take out a policy that

already includes travel cover, but in some circumstances, it can be better to take out a travel policy as needed, depending on how and when you intend to travel.

If you would like to give us a call, we would be happy to discuss the possible options with you.

Neil Flint of www.vip4u.co.uk is Dogs Today’s pet insurance doctor. Neil is a trusted pet insurance adviser to pet owners across the UK, offering fee-free advice on almost all aspects of pet insurance.

If you have any queries or would like to know more about pet insurance contact Neil or any members of his VIP staff on 0845 601 8575, visit www.vip4u.co.uk or email enquiries@vip4u.co.uk.

hile many dogs are able to eat some rather disgusting things and suffer no consequences, mouldy food can be extremely dangerous. This is because it contains mycotoxins, produced by fungal organisms, and capable of causing disease and death in both humans and animals.

The severity and type of symptom will depend on the amount and type of mycotoxin ingested. Some of the more common symptoms associated with mycotoxicosis include muscle tremors, seizures, vomiting, weakness, high heart rate and high temperature. Urgent veterinary treatment is required if mycotoxicosis is suspected. Some of the worst cases I have seen require being induced into an unconscious state for two to three days to stop the dog from seizing and causing permanent brain damage or death.

So yes, while some dogs scavenge and seem to get away with it, their ability to eat rotten food is over-stated and care must be taken to keep dogs away from sources of rotten/mouldy food like food waste bins, compost heaps and rubbish bins.

The questions and answers are based on daily enquiries Dogs Today or Neil receives, but names have been changed for privacy.

Dogs Today September 2017

Talking Dogs Sep.indd 61

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Talking dogs

Ben the Labrador was never, ever going to let anyone take his best friend, writes Victoria Heywood

Good Boy

Each dog featured on this page will receive a Good Boy hamper of treats, toys and other goodies courtesy of Armitage Pet Care.

The hamper will include these top quality treats which are sure to get those tails wagging! Deli Treats are oven-roasted with real meat and contain no artificial colours or flavours.

To enter, write in to the usual address, marking your email or letter ‘Good Boy’.

62

Talking Dogs Sep.indd 62

F

or Ann Oliver, it was supposed to be another lovely summer walk in the woods with her two dogs, six-year-old black Labrador Ben and twoyear-old Cockapoo Rosie.

She was with her friend Eileen and her two dogs, a Shih Tzu and a Poodle, and the group was happy, with all four dogs ambling along amicably.

But all was not as it seemed. They were being watched. Early along on the route, Ann caught sight of two people following behind, just on the edge of her eye line.

She thought it strange, but she kept on walking.

Just a few minutes later, they noticed that little Rosie had vanished and the four dogs had become three.

“We shouted and whistled her for a while, looking in brambles to see if she was caught with her collar,” said Ann. “All the time, Ben was getting more and more agitated.”

Rosie was nowhere to be seen, and Ann realised the situation may be more serious than she’d first

thought. She decided her best chance would be to follow Ben and use both his incredible nose and his devotion to his ‘little sister’. Speaking clearly and confidently, despite her rising panic, she told her dog, “Ben, find Rosie!”

Ben leapt in excitement and set off down a path with Ann in tow, looking back to her every few paces as if encouraging her to keep up. Together they walked solidly for 10 minutes, before coming to a woodland clearing.

At its edge, Ann spotted two people walking away from her and Ben in the distance. She recognised them; they were the same two people who had been watching her earlier.

Ben didn’t bark, but whined desperately and looked up at Ann, as if he was trying to tell her something. But Rosie was nowhere to be seen on the ground.

Convinced these people were carrying her dog away, Ann shouted and swore at them, screaming across the clearing for them to let her go. It worked. Rosie

then reappeared, running toward Ben and Ann with a huge smile on her face and her ears flapping behind her. Until this point, Ann had managed to keep her composure, but the sight of Rosie and her pure relief caused her to break down in tears.

“I reported what happened to the police, and they knew exactly what I was talking about and where I was,” says Ann. “It’s happened to other people. I don’t go to that wood any more.”

But when Ann reflects on the events of that day, she isn’t angry or sad; her memory of Ben’s amazing reaction makes her heart swell with pride.

Ann originally got Ben as a rescue dog at 14 months old, and when Rosie was introduced to him a few years ago as a tiny pup, he was instantly smitten. But Ann had no idea this bond would one day save Rosie from an unthinkable fate.

“I cannot tell you how wonderful Ben was,” she says. “He loves Rosie to pieces.” r Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 14:22

Caution: hangry!

Victoria Stilwell is a world-renowned dog trainer, best known as the creator and host of the international hit TV series It’s Me or the Dog as well as Greatest American Dog on CBS, Dogs Might Fly on Sky One and her web series about police K9s and their handlers, Guardians of the Night.

A passionate advocate for positive dog training methods, she is the founder of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior - www. vsdta.com and the CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training www.vspdt.com.

Visit www. positively.com for news about Victoria’s work and details about her books, The Secret Language of Dogs, Train Your Dog Positively and It’s Me or the Dog.

We aren’t the only ones to get grumpy when peckish – dogs can suffer the same condition. Here’s how to combat hanger in your hound…

D

o you have a ‘chow hound’ at home? Does it seem like your dog gets ‘hangry’ (hungry and angry) just like some people do? You may feel that your dog never seems to be full, regardless of how much or how often you feed him. He may seem to act out because he is hangry, engaging in behaviours like whining, barking, pacing, nipping or chewing out of frustration.

My beloved Sadie is a Labrador and I can attest to the challenges of having a dog that is constantly hungry. Mealtimes do not seem to satisfy her, so I space out feeding times and add foods like beans, pumpkin and broccoli to bulk her food out without adding calories.

This seems to make her feel fuller and ensures she is not frustrated throughout the day or always

Dogs Today September 2017

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looking for food. If left to her own devices, Sadie could eat all day, so keeping a close eye and managing her eating habits helps keep the weight off.

Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself when determining what is causing your dog to be so hangry.

Are you feeding your dog enough?

This may seem like a no-brainer; you are a responsible, loving pet parent – of course, you feed your dog enough! But the reality is that even the most well-meaning dog lover may accidentally skimp on food portions. If you have a highly active dog or a growing pup, his food will need to be adjusted as he grows or for the amount of exercise he does, to ensure he

is getting enough calories in his system to compensate for the calories he is burning.

People tend to feed the same amount to their dogs every day, regardless of how much exercise the dog has received, but this can backfire, especially after a long day of exercise when your dog has burned more calories than after a day of sitting on the couch. Dogs are the same as us – if they exercise more, they tend to need to eat more than on a day of low activity.

Could there be an underlying medical condition?

Now, this is a question that needs to go straight to your vet. If you have a dog with an unusually big appetite (especially if he has developed one suddenly), there 63

31/07/2017 14:29

Are you using the food wisely?

Make feeding time a more fun and satisfying activity!

Consider feeding your dog three smaller meals a day, rather than two. This will ensure he gets less hangry throughout the day.

Split his daily food allowance into thirds, so he feels more satiated, but still consumes the same amount of daily calories.

Try adding some vegetables, like beans or broccoli, to his meals, so he gets more nutritious bulk without adding weight.

Make feeding time more of an adventure. Hangry dogs tend to eat very quickly, so try feeding your dog from a slow-feeding bowl, which will help him ingest the food more slowly. If your dog likes activity toys and puzzles that are specially designed for dogs, use these to feed some of his meals. Put food inside the toy or puzzle and let him work out how to remove it. This is not only a great problem-solving activity for your dog, but the energy it takes to extract the food from these toys will help tire him out.

I also love snuffle mats, which are mats made of material that you can hide food into and give dogs endless happy hours of foraging. They are easy to make and easy to wash.

Are you feeding a nutritious diet?

Consider feeding your dog three smaller meals a day, rather than two. This will ensure he gets less hangry throughout the day. Split his daily food allowance into thirds, so he feels more satiated, but still consumes the same amount of daily calories

Illustrations: Kevin Brockbank 64

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is always a chance that a medical condition, like hypothyroidism, diabetes or Cushing’s disease, is the culprit. While it is unlikely your pup will be diagnosed with one of these diseases, it is worth a trip to your vet to rule out any medical causes.

Are you rewarding your dog’s hangry behaviour?

Take a look at your behavioural habits to determine whether you are the culprit. We may not like to admit it, but most of us spoil our dogs in one way or another!

When your dog begs for food, or is engaging in ‘demand barking’ to be fed, do you ignore the behaviour, or do you give in and toss him a treat or two? If you are doing the latter, it is time to put the brakes on your bad behaviour right away!

Remember, your dog will do

what works to get him what he wants. If barking, whining, or other demand behaviours have the desired effect, he will continue to do them. So, from this moment forward, and if you are sure your dog is demand barking and not anxious, ignore his behaviour completely. Stick to a routine of feeding your dog his meals and include treats in a couple of short training sessions throughout the day.

You may see the hangry behaviours worsen at first, but that is normal. This is called an ‘extinction burst’. Your dog will be confused as to why behaviour that had worked so well for him before is no longer getting him extra treats. But if you are consistent, your dog will eventually learn that mealtime or training time is when the food comes, and not when he barks or whines at you.

Dogs might become hangry because the food they are eating does not provide them the nutrition they need. Cheap dog foods tend to use artificial ingredients and cheap fillers to bulk the food out, but have little nutritious value and cause the dog to feel hungry faster.

Fortunately, the market is saturated with good wet and dry food brands that will provide your dog’s nutritional needs and keep him satisfied.

We all know how it feels to be hangry, so do not punish your dog for misbehaving because he is hungry. Some food-obsessed breeds, like Labradors and Beagles, might suffer more than other breeds, but all dogs’ nutritional needs should be met to avoid preventable hangry-related behaviours from occurring. r Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 14:29

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18/11/13 09:51:51

31/07/2017 11:49

Trust no one

Richard Allport runs a large vet referral centre in Hertfordshire, offering a range of natural therapies for pets, including homoeopathy, herbal medicine, acupuncture and healing.

For information on how natural therapies can help your pet, or for details of consultations at Richard’s referral centre visit www.natural medicinecentre .co.uk

As an experienced alternative vet, Richard gives his expert advice to advise mistrust of experts!

R

Illustrations: Kevin Brockbank

emember the great Brexit debate before last year’s referendum? Seems a lifetime ago, doesn’t it? What was the stand-out moment for you? For me, it was Michael Gove’s remark about experts.

I love Michael Gove. I know he wears the look of a slightly surprised sea turtle, fresh out of the ocean and having to cope with the burden of gravity on dry land.

But he does talk a lot of sense.

Including the famous comment, “I think people in this country have had enough of experts.”

I think, he was correct. So many ‘experts’ predicted that Britain’s economy would collapse if the vote rejected rule from Brussels. Did it? Did it heck.

There is no such thing as an expert. Take nutrition. For years we were told by the ‘experts’ that

Dogs Today September 2017

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butter and saturated animal fats were bad for us, especially as they could cause coronary heart disease. We all had to ditch these and eat margarine and other miserable alternatives instead.

Now it’s been realised that many of these margarine-type products contain hydrogenated or trans fats, which cause an increased risk of (wait for it) coronary heart disease.

Butter and salt were the baddies; now it’s trans fats and sugar. Coffee is good for you.

No, it’s bad for you. Wine is good for the heart. No, it’s bad for the liver. The ‘experts’ keep changing their minds – and usually end up where most of us started in the first place. Most foods are fine in moderation, but real and fresh food is always best.

Is it the same with pet nutrition?

You bet it is! For some reason, the ‘experts’ in pet nutrition seem to be the big pet food companies.

I mean, they’re not going to be biased in favour of their own products, are they? But if you ask your local veterinary practice what diet to feed your pet, you may well be given advice from one of the nursing staff, who is a trained nutrition advisor. With a certificate to prove it. From a prominent pet food company.

When I first graduated, vets didn’t sell pet food – that was the function of pet shops. Now, pretty well every veterinary practice has floor to ceiling stacks of bags and tins of pet food – usually just one brand.

Does the practice really think it’s the very best food available? Or is it the discount and the freebies that decide the choice?

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classic symptoms of thiamine deficiency.

So, what’s the record since the big boys of the pet food industry took over vets’ waiting rooms sales and steamrollered any suggestion of unbiased advice on nutrition? Soaring rates of obesity in dogs, for a start. Strange how the stratospheric rise in obesity in dogs has coincided with the rise in sales of commercial highcarbohydrate, low-quality protein diets. Consequent to obesity is the higher risk of diabetes and other diseases.

But more specifically, the ‘experts’ in pet nutrition have been getting it wrong so often.

Back in the 1970s (and I was there) vets began to see a huge increase in bladder stones in cats. The experts had got the formulation of dry food wrong and the imbalance in the mineral content predisposed to bladder stone formation. Not that cats 68

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should be encouraged to eat dry food in the first place, but that’s another story.

OK, that was back in the 1970s, the experts are more expert now and wouldn’t make any mistakes. Would they? Step forward Pets at Home. They recently had to recall a range of their dry cat food because it was too low in the vitamin thiamine.

Was this low level important?

See what PAH themselves said in their recall notice: Thiamine deficiency in cats may impact a cat’s health. At least three cats have been identified which became seriously unwell after switching to one of the affected products and exhibited symptoms ranging from sudden collapse, fitting, widespread twitching and general unsteadiness which are not the

Yes, quite important. Fair enough, PAH knew the vitamin should be there, but it goes to show that you can’t automatically assume that the commercial processed food you feed your pet is safe.

Or balanced. Many recalls of pet food and treats are because of contamination with salmonella (more often, it appears, over the pond in the good old US of A than here, but what happens in the States always happens here eventually).

The USA was also where contamination of huge amounts of pet food with melamine occurred, leading to thousands of cases of kidney disease in dogs and many deaths.

A recent report links commercial dog food diets to a decline of fertility in dogs due to chemicals that disrupt hormones. A recent recall of pet food was instigated, as it was too high in beef thyroid hormone. And so it goes on…

Of course, the experts say that commercial pet food is full of nutritious ingredients and how dare anyone insinuate that anything but the best quality available goes into that dusty old kibble or that can of watery mush. Interesting how Sarval ‘a leading supplier of protein ingredients to the UK pet food industry’, to quote Pet Business World News magazine, is spending £8 million on expanding its Nottinghamshire facility so that it can process 3,000 tonnes of poultry products a week.

“The site will be able to process 200,000 tonnes of poultry byproducts a year, comprising poultry meat meal, hydrolysed feather meal and poultry fat.”

Don’t get me wrong. There are some very good-quality commercial diets out there (including, of course, my favourite raw-food diets.

Well, not my favourite, my dogs’ favourite). But there is an awful lot of rubbish. Look at the labels and you can tell. And don’t assume there is a guarantee of safety, or of nutritional content. Don’t believe the experts. That’s what Michael Gove says. And he should know. He’s an expert. r Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 14:31

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Rescue Me!

In this section we look at rescue charities and highlight remarkable If you have a rescue story to share, please write to ’Rescue Me’ at the Penny now a happily rehomed lurcher.

Why are Lurchers suffering in numbers?

Looking for a new best friend?

Our Adopt Me listings are now online at: http://dogstoday-adoptme .blogspot.co.uk

Left in the lurch As any Lurcher owner will testify, these dogs are real characters, and loving, lazy family friends. But they have a real problem with falling into the wrong hands…

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hrown away, burned, shaved, chucked from a moving car – whenever we receive a press release about a dog abandoned in the most horrifying of conditions and circumstances, the dog in question is very often a Lurcher. In the first 10 months of 2016, the Lurcher was the fifth most seized ‘breed’ by councils, according to research by Direct Line Pet Insurance, and so far this year, there’s been no shortage of sad stories. These dogs aren’t simply unwanted – they are used and abused.

Saluki Lurcher Penny is just one example. This poor girl was actually flytipped, left to die on a mountain of household rubbish and old appliances on a rural lane in Essex in June. She was in such an isolated spot, she was only discovered because two men in a van

had broken down nearby and sought shelter away from the main road.

Penny was so skinny and dehydrated, she was too weak to stand. She was likely thrown away because she was gravely ill and needed veterinary help, which, thanks to kind strangers and the RSPCA, she quickly received.

At the end of February, a young white Lurcher was caught on CCTV when she was dumped in broad daylight on a busy road in Essex. Poppy, as she was

later named, ran around on the pavement and through traffic, terrified and limping. The two men seen releasing her later came back, pretending to just be passing, before collaring the dog and handing her off to a member of the public and leaving the scene.

Peanut was yet another – left in some bushes last summer, emaciated and with several broken bones.

She was found by a caring lorry driver, who tried to coax her out by rustling Penny, when she was rescued.

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ind add

ble the

individual efforts. We also tell special stories of precious rescue dogs. address on page 6, or email editorial@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk a peanut packet – giving this girl her name – but she couldn’t get up. Vets said Peanut wouldn’t have survived another 24 hours had she not been found.

Peanut, Penny and Poppy all made full recoveries in the care of the RSPCA, and went on to be rehomed.

But in each case, with the absence of a microchip or any solid information on the culprits, no one was ever traced. In all, the RSPCA has had 35 Lurchers come into its care in the last six months as a result of abandonment.

The Lurcher’s history and skill unfortunately leaves this dog open to maltreatment.

Of course, the combination of a sighthound and working dog, had its roots in blood sports and hunting. Such activities, such as harecoursing, are now banned, meaning those who practise them not only have a disrespect for life, but have to hide what their illegal activity.

Tracie Gledhill, chair of trustees at Hounds First Sighthound Rescue, told us the charity is almost exclusively being asked to take on Lurchers at the moment.

“We are also seeing an increase of Lurchers being abandoned with leg and other injuries - often breaks that are severe and have not been treated. We wonder if this is mainly to do with the use of Lurchers for illegal coursing and lamping. Like many illegal activities, the dogs need to be untraceable, so they are rarely microchipped or vaccinated, and are almost exclusively entire.

“Once these dogs are injured, they are dumped, maybe to avoid questions at a vet’s, maybe to avoid the costs. My guess is both – plus the added factor that the dogs are ‘no use’ once Dogs Today September 2017

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Peanut. they are injured. You only need to do a Facebook or Gumtree search and they are sold for the price of a packet of cigarettes, or often free.

“We have had several dogs with horrible leg injuries, including two in the last year who were both strays and needed extensive framing and metal work to repair their legs.

“We also note that a lot of the ‘Lurcher men’ you see are youngsters, 18- to 21-year-olds, and they simply grow up and get girlfriends and families and then want shot of the dog. Previously, they could spend a lot of time with the dog, but work and family changes mean the dog often develops separation issues or frustration, and, again, they are simply disposed of.

“Overbreeding of all dogs is an issue, but with Lurchers it seems to be an easy way to make £50 a pup. Once the bitch is of no use, then she is abandoned, and in fact we have had four litters born into rescue over the last three years!

Often people don’t think of the cost and care of the dog, sadly.

“Finally, dogs have become a commodity, without home-checks or back-up, which results in dogs that are then nervous, anxious and have fearrelated aggression issues.

They are dumped when home number five can’t deal with them, or a rescue is asked to step in. In addition, people don’t want to pay (in either money or time) to solve a dog’s issues with a behaviourist when they can replace with a ‘better’ dog for free or cheap.

“The rise of ‘Facebook rescues’ isn’t helping, with everyone wanting to ‘help’ and ‘rescue’ dogs. We hear daily: ‘I rescued this Lurcher from free ads/Facebook/ Gumtree.’ They then realise they don’t have the space, environment or anything the Lurcher needs, and it ends up needing a real rescue space, which are in short supply.”

There is some crumb of comfort in all of this for Lurcher lovers. Despite being one of the most seized breeds in the country, they do not feature on the top 10 list of breeds being euthanased.

Lurchers are being rehomed in great numbers by great people. They just need to find their way.

Tracie confirmed this, saying, “They are amazing; I have a few. They are loving and intelligent, but crazy silly at the same time. Because there are so many potential crosses in Lurchers, I really do believe you can find a Lurcher with a personality to suit everyone. They are, in the majority, great with children, have varying exercise needs and are really rewarding to own.” r

Last year, we featured the story of one special little Lurcher in particular – and now we have an update.

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Rescue Me!

‘We catch up with a Dogs Today favourite at Celia Cross Greyhound Trust

Looking for a new best friend?

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Regal Ruby Once used for paintballing practice, lovely Ruby has been painted in an altogether different way. We just love a happy ending!

O

ur regular readers may remember Ruby’s story. This young Lurcher girl was picked up in Surrey, having been shaved, shot at, and abandoned just before Christmas 2015. Covered in yellow and blue paint spots, shivering, bruised and underweight, she was found cowering behind some bins. Ruby found salvation in the loving arms of the volunteers and staff at Celia Cross Greyhound Trust, a charity based near Guildford, dedicated to sighthounds in need.

We covered her story last year, just after Ruby was homed to her new owners. Sarah Payne and her family reserved her just days after she came to Celia Cross, having adopted from the charity many times before. With winter well underway, Sarah dressed her new dog in cosy pyjamas, and tended to her poor, scabby tail and urine burns. Her new life was starting.

It’s been over 18 months since Ruby was found, and I was recently invited to a special reunion at Celia Cross Greyhound Trust’s Sun Valley Kennels.

Sarah brought Ruby back to the site for a catch-up with Jane Thompson, the charity’s manager.

Things couldn’t be more different for Ruby this

Dogs Today September 2017

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Ruby at home with her new doggy family.

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Ruby with Jayne Thompson and Sarah Payne and her portrait.

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Ruby, the ‘ginger yeti’.

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time around at the charity’s centre. It’s the height of summer and Ruby is now sporting an unusual coat of varying lengths – wiry in places, downy-soft in others – which she’s only too happy to show off.

Sarah now affectionately refers to her as the ‘ginger yeti’ and is looking forward to the family’s break in France, where the sun will bleach Ruby to a blonde.

Despite everything, Ruby is clearly a well-adjusted, happy young dog, and it’s a joy to see her running around the trust’s acres of paddock land. Any nervousness Sarah initially had about taking her on, because of her background, was thankfully misplaced.

We are all gathered to see a painting too; joining the reunion is artist Sara Abbott, well known to both the trust, Sarah and Ruby. Sara has been painting professionally for over 15 years, including a two-year residency at Harrods. Canine portraits are her favourite, and having painted Sarah’s other hounds, Purdy, Roxy and Woody, she has immortalised Ruby now, too.

The oil painting of Ruby is just as incredible as her journey. Sara has captured her whiskers perfectly, and her shiny black nose is almost 3D. As Sara painted Ruby earlier this year, she came to learn about Ruby’s story, and was so moved that she decided to include Celia Cross in her fundraising. For every

commission she receives that mentions Ruby, she will donate £100 of her fee to the trust.

It’s hoped this unique gift will help the volunteers and trustees of Celia Cross continue to care for the

150 sighthounds each year that find their way to them – so they can all one day have homes where they can lounge on sofas, be cuddled by children, and where their portraits hang in the hall. r

Sara Abbott will be attending Celia Cross Greyhound’s Trust Cranleigh Sale and Greyhound Parade on Sunday 24 September at Cranleigh Showground. In her pop-up studio, Sara will be doing some live painting and talk about her fundraising. r www.sara-abbott.com r www.celiacross.org.uk

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Rescue Me!

Many rescue dogs miss out on their birthdays, as no one knows when anniversary, the day their dog’s new life began – their ’Gotcha’ day!

Gotcha!

Send your Gotcha stories and photos (minimum size 200kb when saved as a jpeg) to us via email with ’Gotcha’ in the subject line to editorial@dogstoday magazine.co.uk or write in to Dogs Today, The Old Print House, 62 The High Street, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AA, marking your envelope ’Gotcha’.

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I

met my rescue dog, Oscar, at the Wood Green Animal Shelter in Cambridgeshire over four years ago now.

I had lost my little Jack Russell, Squirt (also from Wood Green), after many happy years together and was struggling with not having a dog in my life. I travelled up one weekend to have a look at the dogs on offer. Nothing really caught my eye until I was ready to leave, when the kennel staff brought in a white terrier from a walk. He was placed back in his kennel and ran back to the front, pushing himself against the wire, desperate to be in contact with someone. He was absolutely adorable and I was instantly smitten.

I checked the card on his kennel – he was deaf. For some reason, my rescue dogs have always had some sort of issue – hip dysplasia, behavioural issues, heart problems, diabetes… Did I really want another problem dog? Too late – I had fallen for him!

I took him for a walk. We stopped to look at the ducks. He jumped on my lap and that was it: hook, line and sinker!

After an interview with the staff, as to what to expect from a deaf dog, and after checks on my garden and me, he came home.

Although now over eight years old, he has mastered lots of sign language: ‘sit’, ‘beg’, ‘down’, ‘give me one paw’, ‘give me two paws’, ‘give me a kiss’, ‘want a walk?’, ‘want dinner?’, ‘good boy’, ‘naughty boy’, ‘shhh’, ‘come here’, etc!

I have two Bengal cats and this was a major challenge for him. I had to spend five months sleeping on the sofa with him, separated from the cats by a baby barrier to acclimatize him to them, but it was well worth it.

For the first three months, he would wake up next to me and be absolutely over the moon that I was still there – as if he couldn’t believe his luck. He came to work with me every day until I retired, and now has his own Twitter account and lives the life of Riley!

My advice to anyone thinking of adopting a deaf dog: do it! You will get back the love you give tenfold.

Sally Dismore

Oscar

I

was living in Spain for a while, and one day was having coffee with friends outside a cafe.

There was a little dog going around the tables,

and my friend, who spoke Spanish, asked the owner about him. He said the dog had been there for four or five days and they had been feeding him from the kitchen, but they didn’t know if he was a stray or not. As stray dogs in Spain are very common, we all presumed he was.

As I leant down to stroke him, he leapt on to my lap, put his head into my neck, and that was it! Although I still had no intention of keeping him (as I had a flatmate with a cat, a fifth-floor apartment, and very little money), my friend tried to encourage me to keep

him. She was also my flatmate’s mother, which may have had some bearing on the decision.

I said that if I could not find a good home for him, I’d keep him – so, long story short, he became mine! He slept with me on my bed that night, and many nights after. But first I had to wash him in Fairy Liquid, as no dog shampoo was available that day and he was pretty dirty. Then the vet diagnosed him with severe ear mites. He was given an overhaul: shots, flea treatment, everything.

And from that day on, he’s never left my side!

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th Se

en y!

they were born exactly. People are now celebrating a very special See the panel on the left for how to send us your Gotcha stories...

T

he call came 3 October 2015 from Protecting Preloved Border Collies.

We had fostered for them before, so when we were asked if we could take a dog they had named as Dillon, as he was due to be put to sleep that day, we of course said yes.

Dillon arrived a few hours later. With his thick coat, no one would have guessed he weighed only 9.5kg. He looked around our house and we could tell he was unsure of being indoors. He much preferred to sit on the back doorstep and watch everything that went on. We already owned three Border Collies and a Jack Russell, and each one tried to greet him, but he just wanted to stay on the doorstep.

We took advice from PPBC about encouraging him in, and, within a week, he had managed to come in the kitchen. His coat was covered in oil, so he was groomed, although he wasn’t at all sure of this. The vet vaccinated him, and we got him weighed weekly to see if he gained weight. The vet put his age down somewhere between two and five years.

Protecting Preloved Border Collies put Dillon online, and, within days, he was gaining many followers, with many asking questions about him. We agreed that he would stay here in the foster home so we could assess him and his behaviour. We soon saw him interacting with the pack, and he finally found the sofa was much more comfortable than the floor. He went down with kennel cough, which set him back for a while, but PPBC were there for us every step of the way, even organising a crate for him to use as his own den.

Within weeks, Dillon had become my shadow, so when I suggested to my husband that we become ‘failed fosterers’, he agreed and when I told PPBC we would love to offer him a forever home, they were delighted.

Thank goodness for Protecting Preloved Border Collies answering the call of help that day. If they hadn’t, Dillon would not be enjoying life today, as he had served his seven days in the pound and no one had claimed him. He was lucky PPBC had a safety net to save him – as they have done with so many Border Collies.

Stephanie Young

Dillon

When I decided to leave Spain a few years later, Basil was obviously going to come with me.

We hitched a ride with someone who was driving back to UK in a Range Rover he was selling back in the UK. We drove all the way from southern Spain, into France, had a quick overnighter in a French motel that allowed dogs in the room, then we went on to Calais and the ferry to Dover.

Basil is now roughly 17 years old and still going strong. He may be a little slower, but he’s the love of my life.

Gill Killroy Dogs Today September 2017

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Marko

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his is Marko; he is a rescue from the IRR (Irish Retriever Rescue) charity. He was found abandoned as a stray in Ireland. We had agreed to become fosterers for IRR, as we already have a Golden Retriever who is very friendly, and Marko was our first, a Golden Retriever-Labrador cross. We then became ‘failed fosterers’, as he never left – despite the fact that within 10 minutes of arriving, he peed up my Laura Ashley sofa! I mean, look at that face…

Emily Pothecary

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Sarah Whitehead’s

Best behaviour Sarah Whitehead is a pet behaviour counsellor who runs puppy socialisation classes, courses in animal behaviour and tackles behaviour problems in the south of England

While Sarah is busy on the launch of a new training programme, colleague Sandra Emmons, a Clever Dog Company Method Licensed Trainer based in Berkshire, is this month’s guest author.

With extensive experience in training dogs for their particular environments, Sandra provides bespoke training programmes, which are as individual as the dogs they are for.

Words: Sandra Emmons Illustration: Kevin Brockbank

Mind games Short of giving your dog the sudoku to complete, how can you keep him mentally active? We have some fun, engaging games to keep you both amused…

I

love mind games! They are great for keeping our human brains sharp and active, but they also do amazing things for the canine brain, contributing to making them happier and healthier. Mental stimulation for dogs is just as important as physical exercise. Without it they can become bored, leading to behaviour problems such as chewing your favourite shoes and ‘remodelling’ the furniture!

Mind games are invaluable when working with a dog who is recovering from illness or unable to take regular exercise.

They can be used to keep a ‘home alone’ dog occupied and to help build a shy dog’s confidence. These games increase problem-solving skills and can be a source of great fun when enjoyed together by dogs and their owners, whatever age they may be.

Don’t worry that mental activities for your dog have to be complicated or expensive; there are many on the market from the simplest to the most complex,

but there are also lots of games you can put together from your dog’s existing toys and everyday household items.

Stuff a Kong Buying the wonderful Kong is a relatively inexpensive option and is great for keeping your dog’s mind focused on the task of getting food from a toy. A well-packed one can keep a dog busy for at least half an hour and if you freeze the contents, it can take even longer. Take a look at the Kong website for some great recipes to tempt your dog with.

Scatterbrain Scattering your dog’s dry food on the kitchen floor at breakfast time is a brilliant way of harnessing a dog’s natural instincts. Try putting your dog’s dinner in empty plastic water or milk bottles so that he has to work out how to get the food out before he can eat it – let’s face it, feeding this way is far more exciting and challenging than eating from a standard bowl.

Mind-boggling loo rolls The humble toilet roll tube can be used in a variety of ways – from setting up treasure hunts by putting food into them and hiding around the house, to putting nine or ten rolls upright in a round tin with a variety of treats hidden in the bottom of them.

Hide and seek Try taking your dog’s favourite toy, hiding it under a towel and encouraging him to ‘find it’.

Egg box challenge Get an empty egg box and fill it with some yummy treats, close it and let your dog work his way into the food. To make the challenge even harder, put the egg box into a second, larger box and fill with paper.

Spin the bottle Another great game to challenge your dog and get him thinking is to teach him to ‘spin the bottle’.

You will need an empty plastic bottle – the kind that doesn’t split and create sharp edges – and a stick (bamboo is great).

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Drill or push two holes into the middle of the bottle on each side and push the stick through them. Put some tasty treats in the bottle, take each side of the stick and hold in front of your dog. Move the stick so that the treats roll around in

the bottle – this should tempt your dog to investigate further!

Some dogs will work out how to spin the bottle and get the treats out pretty quickly, but others may need a little extra encouragement.

Once your dog has worked out

how to get the treats, you can make the task more challenging by putting the holes further up the bottle, changing the size of the bottle, and using more than one bottle on the stick. Give it a go – I can guarantee a lot of fun for you and your dog!

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SPECIAL

CARE Dogs Today September 2017

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DAILY DENTAL CHEWS

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Further challenges As a Clever Dog Method trainer, I specialise in visiting dogs and owners in their own homes, where we work not only on the essential training skills, but also on using problem-solving activities to extend the dog’s thinking abilities. These have become so popular, that I am often asked by my one-to-one clients if they can have an additional session just on different mind games that they can use with their dogs.

The most successful of these sessions have been when I have tasked both adults and children to come up with their own games – a great way of demonstrating how much fun training can be and a real workout for the human and canine brain.

A few months ago, I started working with two wonderful Cockapoos called Charlie and Otto. Both have seemingly endless energy, always looking for something to occupy their time. We worked on the essential obedience skills, using the clicker, and because they both loved the training, we decided to challenge them further by introducing target training and teaching them both to read!

Target training Target training is a great basis for more complicated behaviours. You can use almost anything as a target – your hand, a lid from a margarine container (which can lead on to your dog closing the door for you),

a mat to help you teach a ‘settle’, or even a bell so that your dog can tell you when he wants to go outside.

We decided to start our training by getting Charlie and Otto to target the palm of our hand with their nose. r Stand in front of your dog with your hand behind your back. Present your hand (directly in front of your dog) with your palm facing outwards, and wait for your dog to touch your palm with his nose (don’t be tempted to move your hand towards the nose!). Click (if you use a clicker) and treat. r Continue to do this until your dog is reliably touching his nose to your hand.

You can then add the cue ‘touch’ as you present your hand. r Start moving your hand to the side and varying the height. We chose not to raise our hand too high so as not to encourage Otto and Charlie to jump.

We used ‘touch’ as a fun recall game by throwing the treat behind the dogs once they had touched the hand with their nose. As soon as they had run out and eaten the treat, we called them back to ‘touch’.

To increase the challenge, we moved on to more

Sarah Whitehead’s booklet, Mind Games for Dogs, is available from www. cleverdogcompany.com for £7.50 including UK p&p.

advanced targeting skills by encouraging them to ‘touch’ our hand when we were walking – a great way to practise walking nicely on and off the lead by following a ‘moving’ target. We also used the targeting to teach them both to weave their way through our legs as we walked and to move around objects.

Once your dog has mastered targeting, the world really is your oyster!

Learning to read!

For this game, your dog will need to know at least two commands. I used the commands ‘sit’ and ‘down’ to begin with. r Write out your chosen words on flashcards. r To help your dog associate the word with the command, draw a different pattern around each word you have chosen – for example, a star or a square. r Have your treats and clicker (if you use one) ready. r Hold the ‘sit’ sign in front of your dog and ask him to sit – then click and treat.

r Put the sign behind your back and move to a different location. Present the sign again and ask for a sit – click and treat. r After four repetitions Charlie and Otto sat when the sign was presented and before any command was given (this will vary for different dogs, though).

It is worth remembering that the sit is quite often the default position for many dogs, so it may well be easier to learn when teaching to read than other positions. r Keep moving to different locations until your dog sits every time you present the sign. r When you are happy that your dog sits every time, you can then introduce the second flashcard. r We found that the down took slightly longer than the sit, but within 12 repetitions of presenting the sign and then saying the command, each dog was going into the down as soon as only the sign was presented. r Keep practising in lots of different places and then try mixing up the signs to really test your dog. r You can now add on even more words – we are currently working on ‘stand’ and ‘spin’.

So, the next time it is pouring with rain and you are thinking about how to keep your dog occupied, grab some paper and a pen, empty the recycling bin and get creative! r

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Caption this!

Fun page

Strange but True!

Words by Colin Jeffery & Paul Dunn

e Angler Glyn Morris was upstaged by

Photo submitted by Beckie Sonny, via email

The winner of this month’s caption competition gets a PoopPot, an expandable, airtight pop-out poo-bag container. It is odour-free and can be attached to your belt, bag or lead using the handy dog-shaped clip. Order yours from www.PoopPot.co.uk

How to enter both competitions: Send your entries together with your contact details via email to comps@dogstodaymagazine .co.uk or post to: September Competitions, Dogs Today, The Old Print House, 62 The High St, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AA, to arrive by 14 September 2017

an old sea dog after slinging his hook all day without a nibble. Cocker Spaniel Sweep dived into the surf at Christchurch, Hants – and came out with an eight-pound seabass clamped in his jaws. An astonished Glyn said, “He dropped it at my feet, looking pleased as punch.” The fish went into Glyn’s freezer and he’s promised Sweep first bite when he cooks it with chips and mushy peas.

e The guard dog training session conducted by police officer Derek Parsons literally ended with a shot in the arm. Derek was training his two-year-old German Shepherd, Charlie, to disarm a gunman when the dog dropped a loaded gun from his mouth. A shot rang out and the bullet entered Derek’s arm. He was taken to hospital in Monroe, Michigan.

e Dogs who keep their homeless owners company on the streets are to be issued with free portable kennels by an animal charity in Hamburg, Germany. e Seventeen-year-old Josie Dean was

Photo submitted by John Chapman

Cross question

Can you guess which breeds Bobbie’s parents are?

The first correct entry will win a specific breed book or a general dog book courtesy of Interpet Publishing.

Please state your preferred choice of book.

Relax and fly Woof Airlines!

Lisa Dupey

RUNNERS-UP: I knew it was a mistake letting him watch my Hong Kong Phooey cartoons Wingardium leviosa!

Mel Hose

She is really winding me up today

Lesley Ingram

Melvin was surprised that his light diet food had worked so well

Steph Clarke

The very latest fidget spinner: the Labrador!

Cara’s parents are a German Shepherd and a Siberian Husky. The first correct entry came from Janet Freeman, who wins the Breaking Bad Habits in Dogs book from Interpet Publishing (01306 873822) www.interpet.co.uk

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e Schoolboy Daniel Dodds, aged 12,

Ken Wilkinson

July cross question winner

Dogs Today September 2017

with a group of friends from college at home in Crawley, West Sussex, playing with an Ouija board when one of the girls asked for a sign if anyone was there. Immediately the floor-length curtains moved and all the girls screamed…scaring the family dog, who shot out from behind them.

July caption winners

Sandra McLeod

shocked anglers when he won a fishing competition by using dog biscuits as bait. He caught a 4lb carp at Barry, Glamorgan, Wales.

“The biscuit was to be a treat for my Boxer, Sidney, who was with me. I broke off a piece of biscuit and put it on my hook and won the competition.

When I got home, I told Dad, who treated Sidney to a juicy steak.”

e Chubby the spaniel stopped rattling when a kilo of stones was removed from his stomach in Brighton, East Sussex. “You could hear him coming with the rattle,” said owner Peggy James. “The vet has advised me to stop taking Chubby for walks along the beach; he said the pebbles are too tempting for him.”

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CatsDog Photography e www.catsdog.co.uk e www.facebook.com/catsdogphotography Paul Croes & Inge Nelis e www.paulcroes.be

The best dog photos in the world We think that imaginative and skilful dog photography should be celebrated and we intend to publish the best images we have ever seen on these pages.

If you think you know the best dog photographer in the world, we’d like to hear from you, too. Email Beverley@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk with ‘Best dog photographer in the world’ in the subject line.

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Craig Bullock e www.furtography.co.nz e www.facebook.com/FURtographyNZ e Penguin Random House NZ

Joe Riley e Bounders Dog Photography e www.facebook.com/boundersdogphotography

Christine Lynne Burke e www.clbphotography.co.uk

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Alex Cearns e www.houndstoothstudio.com.au e www.facebook.com/HoundstoothStudio

Kaylee Greer © Dog Breath Photography e www.dogbreathphoto.com

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Step-by-step guide to

1 A happy picnic!

Before summer disappears, make the most of the opportunity for picnics, barbecues and the joys of outdoor eating!

W

e like to make the most of the open air while the weather is kind, and this includes everyone joining in. But it can be a tricky time for our dogs, as they are presented with all manner of delicious food that they are not allowed to touch. Rather than excluding them, or losing your lunch to them, here are some training tips to help.

You will need Food rewards ready for your dog. Count out a full portion of what they will be allowed and cut it into very small pieces so that you get lots of training opportunities.

Ensure these titbits are in a specific container that the dog learns is for him.

Never, ever ‘share’ your food with your dog, as it teaches him that things you are eating might be his too.

Remember the three key aims:

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ging!

Tables are not for scaven Oh dear! Any tables within reach, containing food or plates, can be a serious temptation. The aim is to teach your dog that there’s no need to steal. Better things come from turning away, sitting and paying attention to the owner instead. r If your dog is already reaching or stealing,

try not to only react when he is already sneaking things from the table. If you aren’t careful, he will see the stealing behaviour as a good way to earn your attention!

r Ask him to sit, and reward

him when he does so.

Gradually, build up the time he spends sitting near the table and not attempting to investigate it.

r While your dog is

around the table, knows what is there but is not attempting to take anything, call him to you.

Your dog will learn quickly that the best thing to do when there are things on the table is to focus on you instead.

You can also use the ‘mat’ training overleaf to help your dog learn where to sit rather than him sitting gazing at you, if you would prefer him elsewhere.

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The step-by-step guide to: A happy picnic

Picnic mat Ideally, we do not want our dogs to be hanging around too closely when food is near. Avoiding temptation is all about redirection. Train your dog to settle happily on his own little picnic mat instead! Bring his own bowl and only feed from his own tub (see below). This way, your dog will learn to be part of the picnic without tucking into human food.

r Place a mat and empty bowl at a short distance away

from the main picnic. Long before any of your food is put out, practise asking your dog to move to his mat and sit or lie down. Each time he does so, mark using a clicker or ‘good dog’, and place a piece of his food into the bowl.

Repeat until your dog relaxes on his own mat. r If you feel your dog might jump on to your own picnic mat, attach his lead so that you can prevent any mishaps. We don’t want our dogs to learn the ‘jackpot’! r Keeping your picnic food well away from your dog, repeat while it is placed on the mat nearby. Always feed from the dog’s own pot of food rewards and place into his bowl. r Progress to asking your dog to lie calmly for longer.

You will notice he will stop staring at your own food (or at you eating) and will look at his own bowl instead.

Our goal is for the dog to relax and wait to be fed from his own treat pot. r Practise, gradually allowing your dog to wait for a little longer between each of his food rewards. Never make your dog wait for too long, as he will become frustrated and try to snatch. r Be patient… and you will soon be able to enjoy your strawberries and cream in peace!

Words & photos: Karen Wild Karen Wild, CCAB, ABIPDT and APBC member has been training dogs for over 16 years. Her behaviour and training practice has helped many celebs with their dogs.

She works with families and their dogs on vet referral and gives online advice via www.karenwild.co.uk or call her on 01778 560465.

Karen’s book 21 Days To The Perfect Dog: The friendly boot camp for your imperfect pet is available now from all good booksellers.

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More than one dog?

As pictured, situate each dog separately from the other. This avoids any tension between them in case they feel they are competing for the picnic food.

Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 16:01

Gyles Brandreth’s

Prize crossword The winner of this month’s crossword will receive this silver H2O4K9 dog water bottle, the perfect solution for thirsty pups on the go!

Get one from www.purrfectlyyappy.com

e WI N!

Quick clues Down

Across

1

(And 2 Down) Duck Tolling Retriever’s Canadian home (4,6)

Cryptic clues Across 5

In the farmer’s field, beware of this terrier (4)

7

Potty breed? (10)

8

Teacher splashing in stream (6)

9

Little bird entering Beagle territory (6)

5

Staffordshire ___ Terrier (4)

7

Long-legged French scenthound (10)

8

He’s in charge of a dog (6)

3

Fear, terror (5)

9

Young bird of prey (6)

10 Wandering dog little Raymond found on street (5)

4

Type of mastiff from Eastern land (7)

12 Dog to damage a literary heroine? (7)

12 Italian sheepdog (7)

5

Sturdy English hound (6)

14 Griffon’s nationality (7)

6

Sporting official (8)

16 Backbone (5)

11

Word books (8)

14 Beautiful female say, and a giant tail-less kind of shepherd dog (7)

19 Scottish terriers (6)

13 Low smooth-haired hounds (7)

20 Wavy-haired hunting dog of Russian origin (6)

15 Breed of Scottish setter (6)

22 Dog used for hunting freshwater animal (10)

18 Terminate (eg space flight) (5)

23 Lowchen – Little ____ Dog (4)

21 Possesses (4)

10 Homeless dog (5)

17 ____ Russell, breed of terrier (6)

16 Back of book make from southern wood (5) 19 Dogs ailing in cars (6) 20 Breed of dog born without a tail, one Australia rejected (6) 22 Dog creating to-do with hunter (10)

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2

3

4

5

6

7

8

10

9

11

12 13

14

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18 19

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21 22

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Address: ___________________________________ ____________________________________________ __________________ Postcode: _______________ Telephone: _________________________________ Email address: ______________________________ Breed/type of dog: _________________________

Dogs Today September 2017

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Send your entry to arrive by 14 September 2017 to: September crossword, Dogs Today, The Old Print House, 62 The High St, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AA. The first correct entry pulled out of the hat after the closing date will win the prize.

The judge’s decision is final.

23 Big cat, one in a million (4)

Down 1

(And 2 Down) Racecourse, one in Avon, perhaps, provides home for the Toller (4,6)

3

The morning call which causes fright? (5)

4

Such terriers can get round a Greek character (7)

5

Implore the French to import a dog (6)

6

Railtrack employee perhaps found on the pitch? (8)

11

Dictionaries could be a sure a hit (8)

August solution

22

Name: _____________________________________

How to enter

We occasionally loan our address list to charities and companies we feel may be of interest to you. Please tick if you do not wish to receive this info. Q

Across: 1 Bruxellois; 7 Finnish; 8 Brace; 9 Agua; 10 Alsatian; 12 Catnip; 13 Doggie; 16 Austrian; 18 King; 20 Eider; 21 Sniffer; 22 Neapolitan Down: 1 Banquet; 2 Unit; 3 Exhale; 4 Labrador; 5 Iraqi; Leonberger; 7 Flat coated; 11 Hairgrip; 14 Griffon; 15 Hansel; 17 Sidle; 19 Diet

13 Dogs – second-rate property? (7) 15 General’s setter? (6) 17 Churchman’s Jack Russell (6) 18 Stop development of boat, possibly? That’s about right (5) 21 Is in possession of some brown setters (4)

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Peter Neville’s

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True Case History Words: Peter Neville

Please visit www.coape .org for details of the exciting new two-year Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Companion Animal Behaviour and Training that Peter, veterinary partner Dr Robert Falconer-Taylor MRCVS, and their tutors in Coape deliver with their colleagues at Moulton College (part of the University of Northampton). You can also view details of Coape’s distancelearning courses in canine behaviour on the same website and find help with behaviour problems via the Coape Association of Applied Pet Behaviourists and Trainers (www.capbt.org).

Owners:

Neil and Jenny Wilshere

Address: Bristol Name:

Luther

Breed:

Collie cross

Age:

Four months

Sex:

Male, intact

Hi Peter

bious dog from very du We rescued a little about an hour hen he was only circumstances w raise and sed us on how to old! Our vet advi say that he e are very glad to wean him, and w e problem We are having on d. he ris ou fl ly al has re y’. We can’t – he is very ‘bite with him, though ng his teeth without him sinki m hi h uc to to seem d legs. into our hands an ove that, we can do to impr Is there anything really lovely hing else he is a yt er ev in e us ca be little pup?

Kind regards, Neil and Jenny

The client

Peter Neville is Adjunct Professor in Animal Behaviour at the Dept of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, USA, and a Founding Director of the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (Coape) in the UK. He has been a contributor to Dogs Today since the very first issue, and takes a True Case History for us from his files each month.

Having raised their collie from the first hour he was born, one couple were particularly bonded with their dog. But there was a problem: his love of the game ‘bitey face’ – and ‘bitey hands’ and ‘bitey ankles’ and ‘bitey everything!’

eil and Jenny asked me for help early in May this year, because their little rescue collie cross was turning out to be quite a handful. Luther didn’t seem to understand that humans did not enjoy being bitten, and sinking his teeth into his surrogate parents was very much his favourite game. Unfortunately, he was inflicting a fair amount of damage on their ankles, hands and, occasionally, their faces if they got too close.

Some of Neil and Jenny’s friends were starting to tell them to rehome Lurcher, since they were clearly struggling, but having raised him since birth, they were dead set against that, and that’s why I was called in to help.

Jenny and Neil are both retired and live on the outskirts of Bristol.

One morning, while out on their stroll around the countryside, they heard a pitiful mewling sound. Upon investigation, it turned out to be a small, cold puppy. The couple looked around to see if there were any other pups, but none were found, and there was no evidence as to how he could have got there. It was a total mystery, but they couldn’t just leave him there, and so they took him to the vet.

Pet project Their vet estimated that the pup was only about an hour old and treated him for possible hypothermia, but other than that, he was surprisingly healthy. He can’t have been where Jenny and Neil had found him for very long, that’s for sure. The couple were given information about how to bottle-feed and care for him, and the vet kindly gave them everything they would need. It was a task they were keen to take on, but with the

With over 80 years’ experience, we’re experts in pet nutrition and pet care, and believe that life is better with pets. That’s why we’re working hard to make their lives better too.

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Nipping issue I asked the couple to describe the biting. According to Jenny, it had started when Luther was about two months old. He initially started by chewing their fingers, and they assumed his gums were itching, due to teething. But soon after, the chewing intensified, and, about two months later, he was actively trying to nip

when attention or responses were denied to him in social interactions with his surrogate human parents. He had also never been shown how to inhibit his bite, and that is why he was now inflicting so much damage on his doting owners when he got excited or wanted their attention.

Unsurprisingly, given his breed, he was now also having quite a lot of fun, herding his owners, and nipped them as a means to get them to respond and move to where he wanted them to be. The tapping of a punitive finger on his nose wasn’t really seen as punishment by him; it just turned into a huge game for him.

Neil said they’d also tried to ignore Luther a few times when he got excited, or when he started to nip or bite hard, but it just made him bite harder and faster next time.

When a dog is used to a certain response, and that response stops happening, frustration sets in.

The frustration causes him to try harder, before eventually giving up. However, since both Neil and Jenny would respond when he bit them harder, they effectively (and accidentally) taught him to bite harder and harder until they were the ones bleeding, and he never gave up!

Understanding the problem

P

uppies learn certain skills by interacting with their siblings and observing their mother when they are young – and many of these skills are vital if they are going to be successful companion animals.

One of the things the dam teaches her pups during their development and weaning is bite inhibition, paired with frustration tolerance.

Since Luther didn’t grow up with siblings, or a mother, he was never weaned properly in a canine emotional and behavioural sense (although he clearly weaned well in terms of nutrition), and hadn’t learned properly how to deal with frustration

them whenever he didn’t get attention, during play, or whenever he wanted something.

Sometimes, Jenny said, he would nip them whenever they came home, or if she was on the telephone or computer.

Because it was painful and they both tended to bleed quite a bit, they always

responded to the biting, either by telling him, “No, Luther!” or occasionally tapping him on the nose with a finger.

But this never worked more than momentarily and even seemed to encourage the behaviour.

They were reluctant to use harsher punishments to stop him, something I was really grateful for. Physical punishment often has severe fall-out, and can even make problem behaviours worse. So hitting him was definitely not the way to go.

I asked about his training background, and Neil informed me that they had taken Luther to a puppy obedience training course for six weeks. He knew how to sit, lie down, walk on a loose leash, and come when called. Unfortunately, no behavioural elements were discussed in the class, as the focus was purely obedience training. Luther did get to socialise with other dogs and people, though, which had helped ensure that he was growing up to be a very sociable little dog.

The background

full knowledge that he might not make it, being so young.

When I first met Luther during my consultation, he seemed like a lovely, friendly little dog. He didn’t jump up or bark, but enthusiastically wagged his tail and licked anything within reach.

When Neil asked him to lie down, he responded, but, after five minutes, he was back at my feet. Neil said that they were trying their best to teach him to be well behaved around people, but sometimes he just couldn’t contain himself, but that’s not so unusual in any four-month-old pup!

t

With over 80 years’ experience, we’re experts in pet nutrition and pet care, and believe that life is better with pets. That’s why we’re working hard to make their lives better too.

Follow us on Twitter @PurinaUK for latest news, browse our website purina.co.uk or give us a call on 0800 212 161 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).

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Another excellent way to teach a dog to inhibit his bite is to squeal and withdraw hands whenever he starts to bite his owners and to deny further interaction until the dog calms down. However, this approach usually induces more frustration in the dog and he will usually get more excited and bite harder before he gets better.

Given the age of my clients and their delicate skin, we got around the issue of potential injury by letting them wear loads of padding in the form of layered clothing and those gardening gloves.

‘Ouch!’

I started the exercise, just to be on the safe side. I offered my hand to Luther, who merrily started chewing on it. I waited until I felt pressure, and then yelped very loudly. Luther jumped back and looked at me as if I had grown an extra head. I offered my hand again, and he took it with a look of what could only be described as

suspicion on his face. He was chewing almost thoughtfully, and while it was nice and gentle chewing, I praised him and popped the odd treat into his mouth. He became quite excited at that point, and escalated the intensity of his bite, to which I once again responded by yelping. We continued this for about five minutes before he was moderating the pressure of his mouth all by himself.

I asked Jenny and Neil to do the same: to give a yelp at the slightest pressure, but to also reward and praise lavishly when he was mouthing gently. Once he was mouthing gently, we would put the mouthing on a cue of ‘nibble’, and then just stop ever giving the cue.

Finally, I suggested that Jenny and Neil continue training with their local CAPBT (www.capbt.org) trainer/ behaviourist to keep on challenging Luther’s smart collie brain to perform new behaviours.

Tackling the problem

T

hankfully, due to Luther’s young age and his owners’ huge willingness to work with him, there was plenty we could do to change his behaviour for the better.

I noticed the lack of suitable toys for such a young dog. Jenny wasn’t keen on encouraging Luther to chew; she felt that by giving him chew toys, he would want to chew more. I explained that he was going to chew regardless, so it would be best to teach him what he was allowed (and not allowed) to chew. He was a young dog, who was clearly quite mouth-orientated, and he needed an additional outlet for all his energy. We began by introducing a range of food-dispensing toys. Luther enjoyed playing tug with Neil, so we also included a few chew and tug toys.

I recommended scatter feeding Luther in the garden, so he could spend time looking for his meals, which would not only provide stimulation but also help with teaching some frustration tolerance.

The food-dispensing toys could be filled with kibble, mixed with a small amount of ‘binder’ peanut butter (Xylitol-free) to make it sticky and harder to get at. By gradually increasing the difficulty level of these toys, we could teach Luther frustration tolerance, as he had to work out how to solve the puzzles without giving up.

A portion of his food would also be used to teach him bite inhibition. I asked Neil and Jenny to hand-feed one kibble at a time. If he jumped, lunged or snapped for the kibble, they had to withdraw their hands and wait for him to sit before offering it again. Given the extent of their injuries from sharp puppy teeth, I suggested wearing gardening gloves to start with. Once he realised how the game worked, we would increase the level of restraint required to take the food gently.

The result...

W

ith all this homework in place, I said my farewells. Jenny promised to keep in touch to give me feedback on their progress. She kept her promise, and the last feedback I received, three weeks after my visit, contained good news!

“Thank you for all the guidance you provided on Luther’s biting.

It has now stopped completely. We phased out the wearing of the gloves, extra clothes and boots, as per your recommendations, and we are thrilled that we have been ‘bite free’ for two weeks now.

Thankfully, it all seems to be a forgotten part of his puppy past now.

“Luther loves the training, and we now go to classes twice a week. He is really getting the hang of the junior agility courses.

We have learnt so much from all this, and are thrilled that we get to keep the dog we’ve had for almost all of his life. We have learnt so much from all this, and we are thrilled that we get to keep the dog we have been with for almost all of his life, and now fully enjoy our relationship safely with him.”

Dogs Today 25/11/2015 September 2017 16:44

31/07/2017 16:05

Education

Breed Council

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The GSD Breed Council publishes the breed’s only monthly A4 glossy magazin known as the “National” and magazine, which has been in circulation since 1987. This has a minimum of 32 pages every month devoted to the German Shepherd Dog.

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䴀䴀䜀 䜀唀䄀刀䐀匀 ㄀㐀 㘀 ㌀㌀ ㄀㘀 䌀愀氀氀 琀漀 搀椀猀挀甀猀猀 礀漀甀爀 渀攀攀搀猀 ☀ 爀攀挀攀椀瘀攀 漀甀爀 戀攀猀琀 焀甀漀琀攀

Visit our website to explore the activities which you and your dog could enjoy together.

䴀䴀䜀 䜀甀愀爀搀猀Ⰰ ㈀㄀㤀 一漀爀琀栀 刀漀愀搀Ⰰ 䜀攀搀渀攀礀 䠀椀氀氀Ⰰ 䰀椀渀挀漀氀渀猀栀椀爀攀Ⰰ 倀䔀㄀㈀ 一堀 Athletic

ⴀ 䠀椀最栀 焀甀愀氀椀琀礀 栀愀渀搀 洀愀搀攀 最甀愀爀搀猀 ⴀ 䤀渀搀椀瘀椀搀甀愀氀氀礀 栀愀渀搀 洀愀搀攀 昀漀爀 愀氀氀 瘀攀栀椀挀氀攀猀 ⴀ 唀渀椀焀甀攀 愀渀搀 猀攀挀甀爀攀 昀椀琀琀椀渀最 猀礀猀琀攀洀Ⰰ 攀愀猀礀 琀漀 爀攀洀漀瘀攀 ⴀ 圀攀 愀氀猀漀 昀椀琀 爀漀漀昀 昀愀渀猀 ☀ 瘀愀渀 氀椀渀椀渀最猀 眀眀眀⸀洀洀最最甀愀爀搀猀⸀挀漀⸀甀欀 簀 猀愀氀攀猀䀀洀洀最最甀愀爀搀猀⸀挀漀⸀甀欀

Fun

Dog sport

Professional

Wellbeing

www.sportiveK9.co.uk

Pads Paws TM

Interlocking floor mats for your pet • Non-slip surface • Durable • • Washable • Soft • Non-toxic • Ideal insulator for tiled & wooden floors

Classifieds...

You create the layout which best suits your pet’s surroundings: feeding area / bedding area / passageways, etc.

Each mat 30 x 30cm. 6 mats per pack

Available from leading pet shops, online vendors and www.snugglesafe.co.uk or ’phone 01903 730811 Dogs Today September 2017

DTM0917_Classi.indd 99

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31/07/2017 15:15

We would like to include all charities – large and small – that have anything at all to do with the world of dogs. If you’d like to see your organisation featured in these pages, please call us on 01276 858880 for more details. And if you’ve not yet got charity status but are still doing great work, have a chat with us – we may still be able to include you!

Featured charity

Charity Spotlight

Welcome to Charity Spotlight - a handy reference point for good folk doing great work. We’re helping to raise the profile of this diverse group of people and we encourage you to get involved with them, be it fundraising or even volunteering.

Registered Charity No 1077588

R a i n Re s c u e

NAWT took the decision in 2015 to become the first rescue and rehoming charity in the UK to implement the Open Paw training programme. Developed to improve the lives of animals in rescue, Open Paw aims to provide shelter animals with the enrichment, training and social skills they need to become more rehomeable and to successfully settle into a new home. Open Paw proved to be a huge success very quickly; dogs appeared calmer and happier, they relished the extra training and most importantly, homing’s improved. All five NAWT centres are now fully Open Paw, running the training programme with every dog and cat in their care. Find out more about Open Paw and how it is improving the lives of the animals at NAWT: www.nawt.org.uk/open-paw.

NAWT never stop caring. They never give up on an animal and each of their residents have a place in their care for as long as it takes for them to find their happily ever after. This unwavering dedication couldn’t be demonstrated any more so than it was on 11th July 2017, when the NAWT Cornwall centre finally waved Bull Lurcher Mole off to a happy new home, after he’d spent over 9 years in the loving care of the charity.

www.nawt.org.uk 0208 950 0177

DT0917_Charity Spotlight.indd 96

RAIN RESCUE

Susie’s young owner passed away suddenly, leaving her homeless and alone. Help us find happy endings for dogs like Susie.

Rescuing Animals In Need

Charity No 21131399

National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) was founded in Hertfordshire in 1971. Their first centre was originally established during WWII to house animals during the blitz and has operated as a rescue centre under different guises from then until NAWT was formalised as a charitable organisation. Over the next 46 years NAWT acquired four more centres across England and established themselves as the animal welfare charity that never stops caring. The NAWT Berkshire centre was built by the charity in 2001 as the first purpose built rescue centre dedicated to the care of elderly pets to have lost their owners. The charity, as it stands today, rescue and rehome approx. 1,400 animals a year.

96

We rescue and rehome 100s of dogs and cats in London every year Please help us to help more animals in need www.themayhew.org 020 8962 8000

Susie

rawww.foreverhoundstrust.org i n re s c u e .co. u k

English Springer Spaniel Welfare Helping Springers, Helping Owners Charity No 1015587

If you have an interest in this lovely breed here’s how you can help • become a member of the charity • assist us with fund-raising, fostering/kennelling or dog transport • becoming a helper or rehoming co-ordinator • apply to adopt an English Springer looking for a new home For more details please visit our website

www.essw.co.uk

Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 15:01

We rescue and rehome collies and collie crosses throughout the UK. Why not subscribe to our ’Border Collie World’ quarterly magazine? Only £10.00 pa.

Sponsor a puppy from just £1 a week.

BORDER COLLIE TRUST GB Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

Heathway, Colton, Rugeley, Staffs WS15 3LY Tel 0871 560 2282 www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

Visit guidedogs.org.uk/DogsToday

Reg Charity No 1053585 Rescue centre open daily 9-11 am 2-4 pm

BCT_0310.4x1.indd 1

A charity registered in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979).

4/1/10 16:55:42

Registered Charity No. 1161079

Rehoming ex-racing greyhounds in the North West 07960561988 www.makantsgreyhoundrescue.co.uk

Labrador Lifeline Trust

Smokey Paws provides pet oxygen masks to the fire service.

Need help rehoming your Labrador? Looking for a Labrador? Then look no further as we know and understand the breed.

But many more masks are needed.

Dog A. I. D. Provides Assistant Dog training for people with physical disabilities who have their own dog.

Make A Difference By making a Donation on-line.

As a Dog Trainer could you volunteer to be an Instructor?

The next pet saved could be yours

Visit our website for more information.

Reg. Charity No. 1076061

You can donate via

01256 884027

www.smokeypaws.co.uk

07860 691251

www.labrador-lifeline.co.uk selabres@btconnect.com

or email info@smokeypaws.co.uk

Spanish Stray Dogs

Adopt a

friend

Working tirelessly to help the abandoned & neglected dogs of s. Spain

SpanishStrayDogs.ORG.UK Charity No: SCO43486

Charity No. 1088503

Founded in 1978.

Valgrays pride themselves on caring for many unwanted dogs and rehab work is undertaken. All dogs are spayed and castrated homes are checked out.

Val Phillips 01883 624513 valgrays@hotmail.co.uk

STAFFORDSHIRE BULL Irish TERRIER WELFARE Valgrays.indd 1 15/3/13 Retriever Often in rescue through no fault of their own, Staffies make great family pets.

Rescue

Safeguarding the futures of abused, abandoned, neglected or simply unwanted Golden Retrievers.

We always welcome volunteers who will act as loving and understanding adopters, transporters, fosterers or homecheckers.

If you are interested in lending a hand or simply wish to make a donation please visit our website....

irishretrieverrescue.com REGISTERED CHARITY No: 1150320

Dogs Today Charity Spotlight DT0917_Charity Spotlight.indd 97 Version A

Dogs Today September 2017

Reg. Charity No. 1161554

The first UK Assistance Dog charity to help improve the quality of life for Veterans who suffer from PTSD

www.dogaid.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1098619

If you have to breed – and we wish you wouldn’t as there are too many unwanted – then please avoid breeds regularly seen in rescues

‘A relationship based on respect, care and compassion’

www.veteranswithdogs.org.uk

Veterans With Dogs, Hannahs at Seale-Hayne, Howton Lane, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6NQ. 01626 374041 l 0843 289 8899

10:16:14

Registered Charity No. 1148913

We are dedicated to training carefully selected dogs to work as educational & therapeutic aids in the school, college & library environment.

Can you offer a home?

Could you help us to raise funds or make a donation to help save more lives?

Please visit our website to find your nearest affiliated regional group

www.staffordwelfare.com Reg. Charity No. 1058627

www.dogshelpingkids.co.uk 97

31/07/2017 16:36

A dog’s life

T

he dog meat trade and cautious of people and in South Korea is a noises. Growing up in a cage highly organised and without solid flooring had given brutal industry. Each him skin sores and muscles year, an estimated that were under developed. He 2.5 million dogs are intensively desperately needed veterinary farmed and slaughtered for the care. Despite this, even days after plate. Django the Tosa Mastiff the rescue, everyone knew that was one of these so-called ‘meat his spirit had not been completely dogs’, but in a surprising twist broken, as, little by little, he began of fate, his life was transformed to find joy and happiness in when a rescue mission in 2013 everything around him. saved him from a sad and After a month of quarantine, untimely death.

Django flew to Singapore to start Django started life in a small a new life. He quickly took to life filthy cage on a dog meat as a friend not food, and was farm on the outskirts of Seoul, never grumpy. His large stature, innocent and unaware of his gangly legs, goofy character and destiny. Scared and confined, he enormous grin made strangers huddled with the other puppies smile; his eyes lit up and his tail to keep warm and stay safe; wagged constantly at all the a small comfort in what was a attention. fearful and desperate world.

Today, Django lives with Other dogs would certainly have Lola and her family (including come and gone, dragged to Rescued from the dog meat trade, three rescue dogs) in the butcher’s table and meat Bali, Indonesia – an island Django has learnt how to live life where an estimated 70,000 grinder just metres away. One can only imagine the sounds dogs are killed every year to the full and is an ambassador and the smell of death for human consumption. for the tens of thousands who all around as the terrified Django has an unforgettable aren’t so lucky each year… puppies lay in wait. character. His enthusiasm By four months, Django for beach walks, swimming in would be outgrowing the the sea, car rides, treats, or cramped, barren conditions anything for that matter, never of his cage, one-third of his wanes. Django absolutely loves destined life as a ‘meat dog’ his life, and spends his days already complete. At just under happily running around, being as a year old he would be boisterous and lively as possible, slaughtered and his meat packed without a care in the world. ready for the market. Fortunately Django is the first for Django, this was not going ambassador for the Change to be his future.

For Animals Foundation, helping In June 2013, Change for to raise global awareness of Animals Foundation and a local the dog meat trade throughout partner group facilitated a rescue Asia. As one of the few lucky attempt at Django’s farm. When dogs to escape the industry, To find out more about Django represents millions of other the rescuer climbed into the Django and support Lola’s cage, most of the terrified puppies dogs caught up in the plight of this campaign against the dog ran away, but Django simply froze. trade and it is his story alone that meat trade in Asia, visit The rescue attempt failed to save reinforces the fact that all dogs are www.changeforanimals.org many dogs that day, but just one special, worthy of compassion and had been lucky enough to be in the protection from cruelty. right place at the right time, and, co-founder of Change for Animals “Django is the love of my life, seeing the opportunity to take one Foundation, decided to name him and I can’t remember life without dog with him, the rescuer whisked Django after the character in the him. Django represents all that I am the cowering Django up into his arms Quentin Tarantino movie Django and all that I believe in, and I will and to safety.

Unchained, where the slave Django fight the dog meat trade as if I am Having helped him gain freedom, is given his freedom. fighting for Django’s life until the Lola Webber, his new owner and As a free dog, Django was scared horror ends,” says Lola. r

Dr Daniel Allen (@Dr_Dan_1) is an animal geographer who believes every dog has a special story to share. Daniel lives in Staffordshire with his partner, Louise, and rather excitable chocolate Labrador, Rupert.

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Dogs Today September 2017

31/07/2017 16:06

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31/07/2017 09:48

Developed by Veterinary Surgeon

HELPING DOGS TO STAY ON TRACK WITH

BURNS WEIGHT CONTROL+

Pet Nutrition Experts Since 1993 So, what can be done to keep pets from going to the dogs? Veterinary Surgeon, John Burns of Burns Pet Nutrition has been championing a diet of whole grains for over 40 years.

John launched Burns Pet Nutrition in 1993 while working as a Veterinary Surgeon. Prior to this, healthy pet food was unheard of. Believing that common pet ailments (itchy skin, upset digestion, weight problems etc) could be avoided by correct nutrition, John decided to create his own specialist pet food. Almost 25 years on, John is still very much at the helm of the business.

DT0917_100.indd 19

For free, unbiased nutrition advice. Call our in-house nutritionists on 0800 083 66 96 or visit

An advocate of healthy eating, John believes that Burns Weight Control+ Chicken & Oats can help dogs to reach and maintain a healthy weight as well as promoting all-round health. Highly-digestible and high in fibre, the award-winning recipe contains wholegrain oats and brown rice which keep dogs feeling fuller for longer.

Healthy and Happy from Day One To prevent the build-up of toxic waste in the system, John recommends feeding a natural, nutritious diet from day one. In addition to the Weight Control range, Burns also offer a Puppy range so that pet owners can give their prized pooch a healthy start in life. Burns Puppy Foods have controlled levels of fat and protein to ensure calm temperament.

They are highly-digestible, so economical to use with the bonus that there is less waste output so less to clean up.

www.burnspet.co.uk for further information.

GB Burns Original Chicken & Brown Rice Composition : Brown Rice (67%), Chicken Meal (20%), Oats, Peas, Chicken Oil, Sunflower Oil, Seaweed, Vitamins & Minerals.

Burns food is intended to ensure good health in all ages and breeds of adult dogs. This variety is also approved as a DIETETIC FOOD for the nutritional management of:

Analytical Constituents : Crude Protein 18.5%, Crude Oils & Fats 7.5%, Crude Fibre 2.2%, Crude Ash 6%, Copper 18mg/kg, Sodium 0.13%, Calcium 1.15%, Phosphorus 0.70%, Magnesium 0.10%, Potassium 0.32%, Sulphur 0.27%, Chloride 0.20%, Essential Fatty Acids 2.09%.

Nutritional Additives : Vit A 25,000 iu/kg, Vit D3 2,000 iu/Kg, Vit E 100 iu/Kg, Calcium Iodate Anhydrous 1.5mg/kg, Cupric Sulphate Pentahydrate 55mg/kg, Sodium Selenite 0.6 mg/kg, Ferrous Sulphate Monohydrate 160mg/kg, Manganous Sulphate Monohydrate 100mg/kg, Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate 130mg/kg

The reduction of ingredient and nutrient intolerances.

I Burns Original Pollo e Riso Integrale

The support of skin function in case of dermatosis and excessive loss of hair.

Ingredienti : Riso integrale (67%), farina di pollo (20%), avena, piselli, olio di pollo, olio di semi di girasole, alghe marine, vitamine e minerali.

The compensation for maldigestion.

Tenori analitici : Proteine grezze 18,5%, olii e grassi grezzi 7,5%, fibre grezze 2,2%, ceneri gregge 6%, rame 18mg/kg, sodio 0,13%, calcio 1,15%, fosforo 0,70%, magnesio 0,10%, acidi grassi essenziali 2,09%, potassio 0,32%, zolfo 0,27%, cloruro 0,20%.

Additivi Nutrizionali : Vit A 25,000 UI/kg, Vit D3 2,000 UI/kg, Vit E 100 UI/kg, iodato di calcio anidro 1,5 mg/kg, selenito di sodio 0,6 mg/kg, solfato di ferro monoidrato 160mg/kg, solfato rameico pentaidrato 55mg/kg, solfato manganoso monoidrato 100mg/kg, solfato di zinco monoidrato 130mg/kg.

F Burns Original Poulet et Riz complet

r ion fo utrit ral n Natu

Composition : Riz complet (67%), Farine de poulet (20%), Petits pois, Huile de poulet, Huile de tournesol, Algues, Vitamines et Minéraux.

Constituants Analytiques : Protéines Brutes 18,5%, Matières Grasses Brutes 7,5%, Fibres Brutes 2,2%, Cendres Brutes 6%, Cuivre 18mg/kg, Sodium 0,13%, Calcium 1,15%, Phosphore 0,70%, Magnésium 0,10%, Acides gras essentiels 2,09%, Potassium 0,32%, Soufre 0,27%, Chlorure 0,20%.

GB Burns Original Chicken & Brown Rice

Additifs Nutritionnels : Vit A 25,000 UI/kg, Vit D3 2,000 UI/kg, Vit E 100 UI/kg, Iodate de Calcium Anhydre 1,5 mg/kg, Sélénite de Sodium 0,6 mg/kg, Sulfate Ferreux Monohydraté 160mg/kg, Sulfate de Cuivre Pentahydraté 55mg/kg, Sulfate Manganeux Monohydraté 100mg/kg, Sulfate de Zinc Monohydraté 130mg/kg

Composition : Brown Rice (67%), Chicken Meal (20%), Oats, Peas, Chicken Oil, Sunflower Oil, Seaweed, Vitamins & Minerals.

Analytical Constituents : Crude Protein 18.5%, Crude Oils & Fats 7.5%, Crude Fibre 2.2%, Crude Ash 6%, Copper 18mg/kg, Sodium 0.13%, Calcium 1.15%, Phosphorus 0.70%, Magnesium 0.10%, Potassium 0.32%, Sulphur 0.27%, Chloride 0.20%, Essential Fatty Acids 2.09%.

Inhaltsstoffe : Brauner Reis (67%), Hühnermehl (20%), Hafer, Erbsen, Hühneröl, Sonnenblumenöl, Seetang, Vitamine & Mineralstoffe.

Analytische Bestandteile : Rohprotein 18,5%, Rohöle und -fette 7,5%, Rohfaser 2,2%, Rohasche 6%, Kupfer 18mg/kg, Natrium 0,13%, Kalzium 1,15%, Phosphor 0,70%, Magnesium 0,10%, essenzielle Fettsäuren 2,09%, Kalium 0,32%, Schwefel 0,27%, Chlorid 0,20%.

I Burns Original Pollo e Riso Integrale

Ingredienti : Riso integrale (67%), farina di pollo (20%), avena, piselli, olio di pollo, olio di semi di girasole, alghe marine, vitamine e minerali.

Zusatzstoffe : Vit. A 25,000 IE/kg, Vit. D3 2,000 IE/kg, Vit. E 100 IE/kg, Calciumjodat wasserfrei 1,5 mg/kg, Natriumselenit 0,6 mg/kg, Eisensulfat Monohydrat 160mg/kg, Kupfersulfat Pentahydrat 55mg/kg, Mangansulfat Monohydrat 100mg/kg, Zinksulfat Monohydrat 130mg/kg.

Tenori analitici : Proteine grezze 18,5%, olii e grassi grezzi 7,5%, fibre grezze 2,2%, ceneri gregge 6%, rame 18mg/kg, sodio 0,13%, calcio 1,15%, fosforo 0,70%, magnesio 0,10%, acidi grassi essenziali 2,09%, potassio 0,32%, zolfo 0,27%, cloruro 0,20%.

Additivi Nutrizionali : Vit A 25,000 UI/kg, Vit D3 2,000 UI/kg, Vit E 100 UI/kg, iodato di calcio anidro 1,5 mg/kg, selenito di sodio 0,6 mg/kg, solfato di ferro monoidrato 160mg/kg, solfato rameico pentaidrato 55mg/kg, solfato manganoso monoidrato 100mg/kg, solfato di zinco monoidrato 130mg/kg.

y life ealth ng h r a lo ion fo utrit ral n Natu E Burns Original de pollo y arroz integral

F Burns Original Poulet et Riz complet

Ingredientes: Arroz integral (67%), pasta de pollo (20%), guisantes, avena, grasa de pollo, aceite de girasol, algas marinas, vitaminas y minerales.

Composition : Riz complet (67%), Farine de poulet (20%), Petits pois, Huile de poulet, Huile de tournesol, Algues, Vitamines et Minéraux.

Análisis del producto: Proteínas 18,5%, Grasas 7,5%, Fibra 2,2%, Ceniza 6%, Cobre 18mg/kg, Sodio 0,13%, Calcio 1,15%, Fósforo 0,7%, Magnesio 0,1%, Ácidos grasos esenciales 2,09%, Potasio 0,32%, Sulfitos 0,27%, Sales 0,2%.

Aditivos Nutricionales: Vit A 25,000 ui/kg, Vit D3 2,000 ui/kg, Vit E 100 ui/kg, Yodato de cálcico anhidro 1,5mg/kg, Selenito de sodio 0,6mg/kg, Sulfato ferroso monohidratado 160mg/kg, Sulfato cúprico pentahidratado 55mg/kg, Sulfato manganoso monohidratado 100mg/kg, Sulfato de zinc monohidratado 130mg/kg.

Additifs Nutritionnels : Vit A 25,000 UI/kg, Vit D3 2,000 UI/kg, Vit E 100 UI/kg, Iodate de Calcium Anhydre 1,5 mg/kg, Sélénite de Sodium 0,6 mg/kg, Sulfate Ferreux Monohydraté 160mg/kg, Sulfate de Cuivre Pentahydraté 55mg/kg, Sulfate Manganeux Monohydraté 100mg/kg, Sulfate de Zinc Monohydraté 130mg/kg

D Burns Original Huhn & Brauner Reis

Inhaltsstoffe : Brauner Reis (67%), Hühnermehl (20%), Hafer, Erbsen, Hühneröl, Sonnenblumenöl, Seetang, Vitamine & Mineralstoffe.

Indicazioni per l’uso. Rations quotidiennes approximatives.

Tägliche Futtermenge. Indicaciones para la alimentación.

gr/giorno. g/jour. g/Tag. g/día

Analytische Bestandteile : Rohprotein 18,5%, Rohöle und -fette 7,5%, Rohfaser 2,2%, Rohasche 6%, Kupfer 18mg/kg, Natrium 0,13%, Kalzium 1,15%, Phosphor 0,70%, Magnesium 0,10%, essenzielle Fettsäuren 2,09%, Kalium 0,32%, Schwefel 0,27%, Chlorid 0,20%.

Anziano. Senior. Älterer Hund. Senior

Zusatzstoffe : Vit. A 25,000 IE/kg, Vit. D3 2,000 IE/kg, Vit. E 100 IE/kg, Calciumjodat wasserfrei 1,5 mg/kg, Natriumselenit 0,6 mg/kg, Eisensulfat Monohydrat 160mg/kg, Kupfersulfat Pentahydrat 55mg/kg, Mangansulfat Monohydrat 100mg/kg, Zinksulfat Monohydrat 130mg/kg.

E Burns Original de pollo y arroz integral

The regulation of lipid metabolism in case of hyperlipidaemia.

The support of liver function in case of chronic liver insufficiency.

Suitable for the support of renal function in case of chronic renal insufficiency and reduction of struvite stone recurrence if fed in conjunction with Burns Hypo - Allergenic Mixer.

Please contact our nutritionists for more information.

Our team of nutrition experts can help you get the best results from Burns. Whether you need in-depth advice on managing specific health problems or simply fine tuning feeding amounts, Burns has the experience and knowledge to help.

Nutrition Helpline : 0800 083 66 96

The reduction of ingredient and nutrient intolerances.

Email : info@burnspet.co.uk

The support of skin function in case of dermatosis and excessive loss of hair.

We recommend that a Veterinary Surgeon’s opinion be sought on how to best manage the above conditions.

The compensation for maldigestion.

The regulation of lipid metabolism in case of hyperlipidaemia.

The support of liver function in case of chronic liver insufficiency.

Suitable for the support of renal function in case of chronic renal insufficiency and reduction of struvite stone recurrence if fed in conjunction with Burns Hypo - Allergenic Mixer.

HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURA All Breeds.

PO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • Adult • •Senior LERGENIC NATURAL Nutrition Helpline : 0800 083 66 96• VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAM Email : info@burnspet.co.uk IC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GO URAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNES Chicken & Oats VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYP A great source of soluble fibre making it ideal for overweight dogs HYPO-ALLERGENIC •GOODNESS HYPO-ALLERGENIC NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HY-• GOODNESS • HYPO-AL All Breeds. • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS Low• Glycaemic Index making it ideal for diabetic•dogs MINS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS everything needed for health & wellbeing and nothing • else!

PO-ALLERGENIC •GetNATURAL • VITAMINS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALin touch, we’d love to hear from you...• GOODNESS Contains GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGEN Puppy • Junior• VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC LERGENIC • NATURAL • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • N IC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NAT5060084770294 HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS••NATURAL HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURA URAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • Chicken & Rice PO-ALLERGENIC ••NATURAL • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • Hypo-Allergenic Healthy Healthy Naturally Higher in • VITAMINS VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITA-

Constituants Analytiques : Protéines Brutes 18,5%, Matières Grasses Brutes 7,5%, Fibres Brutes 2,2%, Cendres Brutes 6%, Cuivre 18mg/kg, Sodium 0,13%, Calcium 1,15%, Phosphore 0,70%, Magnésium 0,10%, Acides gras essentiels 2,09%, Potassium 0,32%, Soufre 0,27%, Chlorure 0,20%.

Ein Komplettfutter für ausgewachsene und ältere Hunde aller Rassen.

life althy g he a lon

Burns food is intended to ensure good health in all ages and breeds of adult dogs. This variety is also approved as a DIETETIC FOOD for the nutritional management of:

D Burns Original Huhn & Brauner Reis Ein Komplettfutter für ausgewachsene und ältere Hunde aller Rassen.

Nutritional Additives : Vit A 25,000 iu/kg, Vit D3 2,000 iu/Kg, Vit E 100 iu/Kg, Calcium Iodate Anhydrous 1.5mg/kg, Cupric Sulphate Pentahydrate 55mg/kg, Sodium Selenite 0.6 mg/kg, Ferrous Sulphate Monohydrate 160mg/kg, Manganous Sulphate Monohydrate 100mg/kg, Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate 130mg/kg

20 - 40g 40 - 80g 80 - 160g 160 - 240g 240 - 320g 320 - 400g

Please contact our nutritionists for more information.

Our team of nutrition experts can help you get the best results from Burns. Whether you need in-depth advice on managing specific health problems or simply fine tuning feeding amounts, Burns has the experience and knowledge to help.

WEIGHT CONTROL + We recommend that a Veterinary Surgeon’s opinion be sought on how to best manage the above conditions.

Ingredientes: Arroz integral (67%), pasta de pollo (20%), guisantes, avena, grasa de pollo, aceite de girasol, algas marinas, vitaminas y minerales.

Análisis del producto: Proteínas 18,5%, Grasas 7,5%, Fibra 2,2%, Ceniza 6%, Cobre 18mg/kg, Sodio 0,13%, Calcio 1,15%, Fósforo 0,7%, Magnesio 0,1%, Ácidos grasos esenciales 2,09%, Potasio 0,32%, Sulfitos 0,27%, Sales 0,2%.

Aditivos Nutricionales: Vit A 25,000 ui/kg, Vit D3 2,000 ui/kg, Vit E 100 ui/kg, Yodato de cálcico anhidro 1,5mg/kg, Selenito de sodio 0,6mg/kg, Sulfato ferroso monohidratado 160mg/kg, Sulfato cúprico pentahidratado 55mg/kg, Sulfato manganoso monohidratado 100mg/kg, Sulfato de zinc monohidratado 130mg/kg.

Indicazioni per l’uso. Rations quotidiennes approximatives.

Tägliche Futtermenge. Indicaciones para la alimentación. gr/giorno. g/jour. g/Tag. g/día

Anziano. Senior. Älterer Hund. Senior

20 - 40g 40 - 80g 80 - 160g 160 - 240g 240 - 320g 320 - 400g

Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you...

Email : info@burnspet.co.uk www.burnspet.co.uk burnspet.co.uk/facebook burnspet.co.uk/twitter burnspet.co.uk/youtube Burns Pet Nutrition Ltd, Ferry Rd, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, SA17 5EJ

PUPPY ORIGINAL Email : info@burnspet.co.uk www.burnspet.co.uk burnspet.co.uk/facebook

Promotes slow growth which reduces strain on developing bones & joints burnspet.co.uk/twitter

Naturally helps maintain skin, coat & digestion MINS • GOODNESS •healthy HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • • NATURAL • VITAM LERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC Contains everything needed for health & wellbeing and nothing else!

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Skin & Coat

Digestion

Development

Skin & Coat

SCAN ME

New stats published by the PDSA last year revealed that a shocking 83% of veterinary professionals believe there will be more overweight pets than healthy pets by 2022. But unlike humans who are constantly being reminded of weight concerns, obesity in pets has become a taboo subject.

Helping Dogs to Reach and Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Delicious

Digestion

Natural Fibre

Delicious

& Complete

150

& Complete

LERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • HYPO-ALLERGENIC • NATURAL • VITAMINS • GOODNESS • SCAN ME

Clean eating, paleo, the 5:2 meal plan…The number of diet options available to humans is inexhaustible. These days, everyone is making a conscious effort to shed the puppy fat. And, as we strive to become more health conscious in their own lives, many of us are keen to exercise the same principles with pets.

31/07/2017 09:27