Hot Dogs

With the weather brightening up we're all desperate to get out and about and if there's a dog to be walked and a park to be walked in we're doing it. As we don't see the sun very often we're all desperate to get a bit of colour about our skin and often find ourselves with a wee touch of sunburn, telling everyone "Give it a couple of days and that'll be golden". However we must consider how the weather affects our furry friends. So here goes the rules of summer dog walking...

1) Try to walk your dog when its cooler. Walking your dog in the hottest part of the day may seem great for your tan but dogs can quickly overheat, especially if they have a lot of pent up energy and are running around like maniacs, morning and evening walks suit your dog best in this weather. On the note of overheating, dogs in cars is a bad thing anyway... Please don't do it in hot weather, it is dangerous.

2) Dogs need sunscreen too. This doesn't apply to all dogs but if your dog is white or light coloured then its important to protect his most sensitive bits (the same applies to white/ light cats). The tips of his ears or his nose if its lacking pigment can easily suffer damage in the sun, think about the whole head as well as tails in particularly short coated breeds. This takes me on to our next tip...

3) When it comes to coat remember that your dog is wearing a fur one, it may be a bit thinner now than it was in the winter but its still there. Whilst we're all stripping down to the bare minimum to cool down, considering doing the same for your dog. Have him stripped, clipped or otherwise removed of excess hair. Your local groomer will be able to give you advice for your particular breed/ type of dog.

4) Water. If you are going for a long walk or taking your dog away for the day make sure to take some water for him. Most pet shops sell portable water recepticles of various forms. Particulary popular are the ones which are water bottles with bowls attached. These are easy to carry and use. Speaking of water, there is no better way to cool down that a good swim so plan on some days at the beach for your pooch. Remember to pick up after your dog as always and obey the rules of the beach. take a towel and give him a good rub down making sure to clean his paws of sand which can irritate later.

5) As always, have fun. Take advantage of the good weather and look out for local dog shows or classes which are often run outside on summer evenings. There is loads of fun to be had with your dog, even if its getting out in the garden after work to play with him. There are no excuses now, its barely dark by 10.

Missing

This poor puppy has been taken and needs regular medical attention, this is yet another example of why microchipping should be compulsory. For further details check out this link... http://bit.ly/aBSqVV

Survey

If you have purchased or rescued a dog in the past year then I am interested in hearing about your experience, please complete my Dog Ownership Survey. It is a short survey and does not ask for any personal details.

Apologies

The results from days three and four of crufts were meant to be posted just after the event, these can be found on the Crufts Results Page. We must, however, offer a belated congratulations to Best In Show winner 2010 Hungarian Viszla Sh Ch/ Aust Ch Hungargunn Bear It'n Mind, pet name Yogi. Also congratulations to Reserve Best In Show 2010 Scottish Terrier Ch Rus/ Slo/ Eur Filisite Brash Celebration. DFS Crufts 2011 will run from the 10th to the 13th of March and tickets will be on sale from September this year.

Crufts Group Winners

The first two days of crufts are over and we have our first four group winners, in order of judging, they are...

Day 1

Working Group:-

Best in Group

Rottweiler, Ch Olearia Blaze of Gold

Reserve

Dobermann, Ch/ Ir Ch Vanhallen Black Velvet With Darkiss JW

Group 3

Ch/ Cze/ Vdh Ch Hollywood Haelleas Bohemica

Group 4

Ch Roamaro First Issue by Walkon


Pastoral Group:-

Best in Group

Cardigan Corgi, Ch Bymil Picture This

Reserve

Smooth Collie, Ch Sandcastle's True Topic

Group 3 

Bearded Collie, Philemon Secret Smile with Sengalas

Group 4

Samoyed, Ch Zamoyski Lucky Orlando JW

Day 2
Terrier Group

Best in Group

Scottish Terrier, Ch/ Rus/ Slo/ Eur Filicite Brash Celebration

Reserve

Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Am/ Aust Ch Jollygaze Time Lord

Group 3

Kerry Blue Terrier, Ch Perrisblu Kennislain's Chelsey

Group 4

Skye Terrier, Ch Salena Black Shadow


Hound Group :-

Best in Group

Pharoah Hound, Int Ch Northgate's As You Like It

Reserve

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Dutch Ch Cappuchino Van Tum-Tums Vriendjes

Group 3

Min. Wire Haired Dachshund, Ch Stargang Malachite

Group 4

Rhoesian Ridgeback Multi/ Int Ch Aresvuma Zulu Zuka


The rest of the groups and best in show to follow, for all results head to the Crufts Results Page
or for footage from this and other years shows head over to DFS Crufts TV    

Crufts

As DFS Crufts 2010 kicks off www.dfscrufts.tv is giving us updates on this years action as well as showing highlights from previous years.

Crufts began in 1891, in the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington. Originally the show was run by its founder, Charles Cruft then, after his death in 1938 by his wife. The Kennel Club's first Crufts was in 1948, held in Olympia, moving to Earls Court in 1979, only being run over four days for the first time in 1987. NEC in Birmingham first held Crufts for its Centenary Show in 1991.

There is a great clip from Earls Court in 1983 and we owe a big thank you to the Kennel Club and Crufts for digging this out, this is Best In Show and although I'm not sure who the presenter is, she is wonderful "Lovely ring, lovely dogs, lovely green carpet." http://bit.ly/aqyFZr Unfortunately you need log in details to view the clip but it does not take long to register.

Keep an eye out for updates on the winning dogs at Crufts, here.

A Home For Millie

Hopefully Millie will be in her new home very soon, things seem to be going well. Just two bunnies left to find homes, these two need a bit more time spent on them though, they haven't really been handled. Fingers crossed we will find homes for them soon. Still trying to get photo's of them.

Microchipping Update

Good news everybody, not only is Tia now microchipped but I am now qualified to microchip dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets as well. Last Sunday Tia and I attended a course and she was my first live dog. It was a great day as I got to chat to lots of like minded people and although I was nervous by the time it came round to chipping a live dog I was confident that I could do it. Tia didn't even bat an eyelid, she was more interested in the other dogs that were there. It took no time at all to do the deed and it was nowhere near as bad as I'd expected, there wasn't even any blood, in fact I couldn't even find the spot where the chip was implanted. Next step is making sure my insurance covers me for chipping and buying the equipment. Then I can get on my way to making sure that the dogs of Falkirk are Microchipped and can easily find their way home if they are lost.