Would you put your puppies before yourself?
An interesting study undertaken by Tesco has revealed that pet owners put the well being of their furry friends before their own health. As the research shows that 46% of pet owners insure their pets whilst only 35 percent purchase health insurance for themselves.
Further findings show that pet owners would even cancel their own health insurance policy if they needed the money to pay vet bills. Whilst others who took part in the survey, would be willing to forego gym memberships, nights out on the town or alcohol and cigarettes.
A third of pet owners said they would cancel their annual holiday if their pet become ill, so that they could afford to pay the vets bills, and a quarter would get into debt in order to provide medical treatment for their four legged members of the family.
Have you just bought a puppy? Did you know that if you purchased a puppy from a breeder registered with the Dog Breeders Association, we'll be pleased to offer you 12 weeks Breeder Choice Insurance FREE. Cover must be activated within 48 hours of collecting your puppy. You can choose between Essential Insurance, which provides protection for up to 12 months following illness or injury, or Essential+ Insurance, which offers ongoing protection covering ongoing illnesses. Visit www.dog-breeds.co.uk/ to find out more.
Girl Scouts help new pet owners
In the US, two girls from Girl Scout Troop 571 had the innovative idea of helping people who are adopting new pets from Warwick Valley Humane Society’s Animal Shelter. They have come of with this clever project for their silver award and the funding came from solicited donations from businesses and organised bake sales. The girls had the idea to donate starter packages to new pet owners that contain pet bed, pet food, toys, treats, doggie clean-up bags or cat litter amongst other gifts. It was a pleasant surprise for families and individuals who decided to adopt a cat or a dog and also received this thoughtful adoption pack.
Have you just picked a puppy up from a Breeders Association registered breeder and decided to register your dog for the 12 week free insurance? Make sure you register within 48 hours of picking your puppy up online at www.dog-breeds.co.uk/ or over the telephone and you can choose from Essential and Essential Plus policies.
Children with dogs are more active
How to keep their children active and win the battle against childhood obesity is a concern for many parents.
New research suggests that owning a dog is a great way to keep children fit and active.
The study was conducted by St George's, University of London who looked at children at 78 inner-city primary schools in England and found that children from homes with dogs were more active than those who did not have a pet dog.
The sample consisted of around 2,000 nine and 10-year-old children and researchers recorded the levels of physical activity that the children engaged in, recording the number or steps walked and time spent exercising.
When the results were analysed they showed that boys and girls from families with dogs were more active, because they spend more time playing with their pet and taking their pooch for walks with their parents.
Christopher Owen, senior lecturer in epidemiology at St George's believes the increased activity, from owning a dog, could make a significant difference to the children’s health. Speaking in the BBC Dr Owen said:
"It will confer a benefit on their health," he says.
However, despite implying that owning a dog can help families stay active the research does not answer the question whether more active families are more likely to own a dog in the first place.
Looking after a dog is a big commitment and the decision to own a dog should not be taken lightly. However, a dog helps many families have quality time and stay fit and healthy.
If you purchase a puppy from a breeder registered with the Dog Breeders Association we will give you 12 weeks Breeder Choice Insurance FREE. Cover must be activated within 48 hours of collecting your puppy. You can choose between Essential Insurance, which provides protection for up to 12 months following illness or injury, or Essential+ Insurance, which offers ongoing protection covering ongoing illnesses. Visit www.dog-breeds.co.uk to find out more.
A British terrier comes forward as the oldest dog in the world
Last month we reported that Toby the Tibetan terrier could be the oldest dog in Britain, thought to be 21 Toby had a pretty good chance.
However, another dog is now in the running and at 22 this new contender may even be the oldest dog in the world.
Billy the Yorkshire terrier, from Halifax, is believed to be 22.
His original owner has passed away recently but diaries she kept mention the day she bought Billy back in 1988!
When his owner died Billy was taken in by an RSPCA centre in Halifax. With failing eye sight and missing teeth, Billy is not your normal re-homing candidate but Betty Holdworth, who had recently lost her own dog, was looking to take in an older dog and fell for Billy.
Betty and Billy are now waiting to hear from Guinness Book of Record officials, who are assessing the claim that Billy is the oldest dog in the world.
The current holder of the title is Sako Wilde, from Australia, who has clocked up 21 years and 94 days.
Despite his age, Billy is still relatively active.
Speaking in the Daily Mail, Betty said:
“He is not frail at all. He still loves to play and he is quite vigorous about it, playing tug of war and chasing after things to bring them back for me.
“He’s not showing any signs of slowing down. I think that is at least partly because of the quality of his life”
If you purchase a puppy from a breeder registered with the Dog Breeders Association we will give you 12 weeks Breeder Choice Insurance FREE. Cover must be activated within 48 hours of collecting your puppy. You can choose between Essential Insurance, which provides protection for up to 12 months following illness or injury, or Essential+ Insurance, which offers ongoing protection covering ongoing illnesses. Visit www.dog-breeds.co.uk to find out more.
The cocker spaniel and the sparrow
It was an unlikely friendship that blossomed between a cocker spaniel named Flint and a tiny sparrow, but a friendship nether the less.
The hunting dog went against his natural instincts of the breed to take care of dazed sparrow.
The tiny feathered friend had fallen out of its nest landing in the garden where Flint was playing. Flint sat with the sparrow as it regained its strength, even allowing the bird to perch on his paws.
Flint’s owner Greg Larcombe and his children watched the odd couple as their friendship developed.
The family fed the sparrow mealworms and it had soon built up enough strength to fly away.
Alas the friendship was fleeting and Flint watched his new friend take to the sky – I wonder whether their paths will cross again for a play date?
Are you thinking of buying a puppy? If you purchase a dog from a breeder registered with the Dog Breeders Association we will give you 12 weeks Breeder Choice Insurance FREE. Cover must be activated within 48 hours of collecting your puppy. You can choose between Essential Insurance, which provides protection for up to 12 months following illness or injury, or Essential+ Insurance, which offers ongoing protection covering ongoing illnesses. Visit www.dog-breeds.co.uk to find out more.
Research could hold the answer to why some breeds are better at following pointing cues.
It has often been said that some breeds are better at following pointing cues than others, however recent research claims to have the answer.
The ability to follow pointing instructions has been linked the width that dogs eyes are set.
Smaller breeds have smaller distances between their eyes and this means they have less depth perception than larger dogs with larger eye sets.
Research conducted by a team at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, test the link between greater depth perception and improved ability to follow pointing instructions.
The team tested the hypothesis by directing large and small dogs towards food bowls.
Two bowls were placed side by side and the researches would point at the bowl they wanted the individual dogs to go to.
The experiment showed that larger dogs were better at going to the correct bowl than the smaller dogs.
Interestingly both mid sized dogs and larger were good at making the correct choice, suggesting that the distance between the eyes has less of a bearing on ability beyond a certain size.
Are you thinking of planning on adding a puppy to your family? If you purchase a dog from a breeder registered with the Dog Breeders Association we will give you 12 weeks Breeder Choice Insurance FREE. Cover must be activated within 48 hours of collecting your puppy. You can choose between Essential Insurance, which provides protection for up to 12 months following illness or injury, or Essential+ Insurance, which offers ongoing protection covering ongoing illnesses. Visit www.dog-breeds.co.uk/ to find out more.
Dog breeder in Kent banned from keeping dogs
A dog breeder from Kent has been given a suspended jail sentence and banned from keeping animals for life, following a prosecution by the RSPCA.
RSPCA that visited Whents Farm in Kent and found that more than 70 dogs were being mistreated and living in squalid conditions.
The breeder, Melanie King was convicted of 6 charges and sentenced to 140 days in custody, suspended for 12 months, fined £250 and ordered to carry 240 hours of community service.
The RSPCA found that most of the dogs at the premises were forced to live on soiled and damp bedding. RSPCA Inspector Ray Bailey said, “Melanie King was totally irresponsible. She had been given previous warnings, but failed to take action to safeguard the animals' welfare. The conditions many of the dogs were kept in were squalid and truly appalling”.
He added, “We are delighted that the court has recognised the seriousness of the offences and banned her from keeping all animals for the rest of her life. We couldn't have asked for anymore.”
For anyone who is thinking of buying a puppy should always ask plenty of questions and visit the breeder to see the puppies with their mother in the place where they were born to ensure that they have come from a good home.
Have you just bought a puppy? Did you know that if you purchased a puppy from a breeder registered with the Dog Breeders Association, we'll be pleased to offer you 12 weeks Breeder Choice Insurance FREE. Cover must be activated within 48 hours of collecting your puppy. You can choose between Essential Insurance, which provides protection for up to 12 months following illness or injury, or Essential+ Insurance, which offers ongoing protection covering ongoing illnesses. Visit www.dog-breeds.co.uk/ to find out more.
Dog owners chose middle class children’s names
Recent research shows that owners are abandoning traditional dogs names like Sandy, Rex and Lassie in favoutr of trendy middle class baby names like Alfie, Poppy and Milly.
A study undertaken by protect your bubble insurance company looking at 80,000 dogs names over the last 12 months has compared names given to dogs in the 1970s.
Results of the survey show that nearly half of today’s dog owners are now humanising their pets with popular kids names.
Stephen Ebbett said, Naming a dog Millie, Daisy or Oscar doee not seem surprising, particularly as these sorts of names appear in the top 100 baby names for children in the Uk. Whilst, 21% of dog owners said it was just as difficult choosing a name for a dog as it is a child.
It also transpired that many parents find it confusing at the park when dog owners yell at a pet which has the same name as their child.
Have you just bought a puppy? Did you know that if you purchased a puppy from a breeder registered with the Dog Breeders Association, we'll be pleased to offer you 12 weeks Breeder Choice Insurance FREE. Cover must be activated within 48 hours of collecting your puppy. You can choose between Essential Insurance, which provides protection for up to 12 months following illness or injury, or Essential+ Insurance, which offers ongoing protection covering ongoing illnesses. Visit www.dog-breeds.co.uk/ to find out more.
Puppy training tips
Here are some useful tips for your lovely new puppy...
The bed as a refuge
Dogs are curious and sociable animals, so do not isolate your new canine family members. Set up a dog bed as a personal space for the puppy, and place it in a busy area of the home, such as a corner of the kitchen.
Curious chewing
Puppies investigate their environment by tasting. They play by biting, but you should discipline the puppy when it nips by saying “No” firmly. Never reprimand the puppy by hitting it.
Bitter spray
A non-toxic, bitter-tasting spray is available from most veterinary surgeries and pet shops. Apply it to articles that you do not want the dog to chew, including your hands.
Learning to wait
Your new puppy should learn that people eat before dogs, and are therefore more dominant members of the household, or pack.
Learning respect
A puppy must learn to obey the family in its new home, so all responsible family members should handle the puppy.
People go first
Dogs naturally want to rush through doors first. By teaching a puppy to wait and allow you to go first, you assert your authority over it. If the puppy does not understand this relationship, training can be difficult.
Positive enticement
By using food enticements rather than discipline, you will find training a puppy much easier as this will teach the puppy more quickly which activities are not allowed.
A private place
Train a puppy to enjoy being left in a crate with its toys. Start by leaving it alone for short periods at first.
Have you just bought a puppy? Did you know that if you purchased a puppy from a breeder registered with the Dog Breeders Association, we'll be pleased to offer you 12 weeks Breeder Choice Insurance FREE. Cover must be activated within 48 hours of collecting your puppy. You can choose between Essential Insurance, which provides protection for up to 12 months following illness or injury, or Essential+ Insurance, which offers ongoing protection covering ongoing illnesses. Visit www.dog-breeds.co.uk/ to find out more.