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Water Dogs reigning in Spain Our current dog crush New database chip hip hooray Free updates pings DogLost link Why do some breeds have fewer years New research on life expectancy DogsToday A nose for news and a heart of gold More bite more heart Hot dogs aren t cool How to keep them hydrated Unhealthy bank balance You can still have a healthy dog Will you love the Luvin Spyro s the first Lupino del Gigante in the UK Victoria Stilwell says always have an escape route PM s question time Dilyn s a party animal I m a pussycat There s no such thing as mean genes July 2022 4 75

DogsToday Inside this month The ethical pet magazine for people who really care about dogs News features 6 A dog s time tables new research into breed 12 16 26 I N C I N E M A S J U LY 2 9 28 40 42 longevity Pound stretcher money saving tips for dog health Broken stereotypes another study casts doubt on the logic behind BSL Unsocial media Rebecca Walters advises you to choose your groups wisely Rise and fall the Cane Lupino del Gigante and alternative vulnerable breeds Dilyn the top dog in Downing Street for now Canines of London a photographic tribute to the nation s capital and dogs Facebook Dogs Today Sales Marketing Director Mike McGlynn 01276 402591 Office dogs Betty Old English Golden Retriever ish Honey Cocker Spaniel Lennie Staffie cross Vicky Justine Poison Ivy Newfoundlands Sophie Jack Russell Betty s Personal Trainer Kirsten Dillon IMDT A Dip CBM than good to dog owners Dogs Today Brandshare Ltd The Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA 01276 402599 enquiries dogstodaymagazine co uk www dogstodaymagazine co uk 34 Postbag what matters to you as beverleycuddy Advertising sponsorship Over to you 22 Great debate are online groups doing more harm as Editorial Dogs_Today Editor Beverley Cuddy Art Director Rosie Peace Chief Sub Editor Contributing Editor Claire Horton Bussey Deputy Editor Alessandra Pacelli Illustrator Kevin Brockbank Proof readers Katie Horton Bussey Alys Horton Bussey Training behaviour 32 Victoria Stilwell the emergency U turn 52 Safari adventure Benji the African village dog Publishers moves to the sofa Opinion 66 Confessions of a dogaholic and the winner is LIMITED Investigation 44 Dog crush meet the Spanish Water Dog 50 Q A keeping your dog safe and hydrated in heat Chief Operations Officer Graham Smith 01276 402598 graham wearebrandshare com Managing Director Beverley Cuddy 01276 402597 beverley dogstodaymagazine co uk Competitions shopping 55 Subscribe and win 56 Pop the kettle on Subscriptions For subscription queries call Brandshare on 01276 402599 or email subs dogstodaymagazine co uk Initial subscription rates UK BFPO 12 issues 39 50 24 issues 61 EU countries 12 issues 65 20 Rest of the world airmail 12 issues 79 80 Direct Debit offer UK only 9 99 for 3 months with 1 month free trial and a 1 sign up fee and tackle our puzzles and competitions U LT I M U T T P E T F O O D PA R T N E R Or visit burnspet co uk DCLeagueofSuperPets T s and C s apply Go to www burnspet co uk Closing date 30 9 22 2022 WBEI TM DC Spanish Water Dog Photo by Tim Rose www timrosephotography co uk SCA N HERE TO EN TER 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 by Brandshare Ltd The Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA Tel 01276 402599 Brandshare Ltd reg office The Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA Distributed by Marketforce UK Ltd 2nd Floor 5 Churchill Pl Canary Wharf London E14 5HU Tel 020 3148 3333 www marketforce co uk Printed by The Manson Group 2022 Dogs Today The world copyright of the editorial matter both illustrations and text is strictly reserved Registered as a newspaper for transmission in the UK Next issue on sale 30 July To download Dogs Today for iPad go to the App store Android and PC versions are available from Pocket Mags the Kindle edition from www amazon co uk July 2022 Dogs Today 3

Dear readers Beverley Cuddy 4 Dogs Today July 2022 Illustration by Beverley Cuddy A s I am lucky to be alive I have the urge to make the most of every day What shall we sort out first In microchipping month I saw a press release that said one in three chipped dogs don t have any owner s details on any of the databases What a mess When mandatory chipping was first debated the MPs worried about the cost of getting a dog chipped so the big charities offered to do it for free I don t think anyone predicted that a far greater expense was keeping those records up to date I ve heard of homeless dog owners being charged 15 a time to update their phone number Some companies try to make things more affordable with an annual or lifetime fee but very many owners long ago lost the bit of paper telling which database has their records The four original databases became 19 including one that isn t Defra approved Is the government keeping a good enough eye on all these databases Is our data safe Are some allowing people to overwrite records without checking to see if the dog is missing or stolen Well this doesn t seem to have been a priority The bar was set very low for new databases Some are sole traders some aren t ICO registered And now we have GDPR should databases even be allowed to profit from updating our data It was originally the intention that breeders details would also be recorded that all pups would be chipped to the breeder before they left home But the recent government review revealed that 77 of pups were not chipped before they left their breeder Did we really need yet another pet database I was surprised The latest one is refreshingly different It is a free service forever And they aren t even selling anyone chips You can register free with any ISOcompliant chip If you like what they offer they will transfer your records free of charge This new database has partnered with the wonderful DogLost which is a genius move Should anyone anywhere input your dog s microchip number you ll instantly get an email telling you It sounded too good to be true so I decided to try it out I dug out Betty and Honey s chip numbers and it was so easy The checking software revealed they were with two different databases and both were automatically emailed when I ticked the box I got a blind copy so I knew what had been said It didn t cost a penny to transfer And now I can log in and change a phone number or address whenever I need to and I spotted you could register free of charge for loads of perks too offering chunky discounts on things we do use I got a message from DoodleAid saying delays dealing with chip companies has caused its rescue huge problems I suggested they try out this new one They thought they already had they all have such similar names But their Trust Pilot Review revealed what a very different thankfully positive experience they had This made me decide to roll up my sleeves and get more involved DogLost co uk will have more on their website soon in the meantime it s PetDatabase com if you want to try them out too P Betty is very honoured to be included in Nikki Attree s new book Dog Endz A Collection of Wooftastic Cartoons Check out Amazon to get hold of your copy

Words ALESSANDRA PACELLI New research helps owners better understand the remaining life expectancy of dogs and underlines the urgency of tackling health issues among the breeds at the bottom of the list and therefore shift life expectancy as a result In female dogs neutering reduces or eliminates the risk of pyometra a potentially life threatening condition that occurs in 2 of entire female dogs under 10 years Neutering is linked to a reduced risk of tumours within reproductive organs and various cardiovascular diseases but an increased risk of joint disorders and several types of tumours such as lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma especially in females A dog s time tables I t is only natural for us to wish for our dogs lives to be long They do not live as long as we do and it is inevitable that we will have to say goodbye in the end but the more years we get with them the better In nature it s common for large mammals to have a longer lifespan than smaller ones but this rule of thumb is reversed in dogs with smaller dogs often enjoying longer lives than large breeds This is however an approximation New research from the Royal Veterinary College s RVC VetCompass programme has taken a more in depth look at the life expectancy at birth of the UK s pet dogs aiming to help dog owners better understand the remaining life expectancy of dogs Life tables of annual life expectancy and mortality for companion dogs in the United Kingdom was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the National Taiwan University NTU using analysis from a random sample of 30 563 dogs that died between 1 January 2016 and 31 July 2020 It has produced the first life tables for dogs in the UK reporting annual life expectancy and probability of death for the UK companion dog population dogs of different sex and neuter status breed groups and also for 18 breeds and crossbred dogs 6 Dogs Today July 2022 LONG LIVE TERRIERS A Jack Russell Terrier pup has the best average life expectancy at 12 7 years living up to its reputation as a healthy hardy breed The Yorkshire Terrier placed second with 12 54 years of average life expectancy at birth Border Collies and Springer Spaniels are close behind with 12 1 years and 11 9 respectively Dogs classed as crossbreed also placed high Life expectancy for dogs at birth was overall 11 23 years with females having a slightly longer average life expectancy than males 11 41 years to 11 07 years NEUTERING SURPRISE Neutered females and males both showed a longer life expectancy than their unneutered counterparts with a more marked difference in females 11 98 to 10 50 years while in males the difference is 11 49 to 10 58 years However the study cautions that life tables for neutered dogs should be interpreted with great caution Neutered animals in these cited studies would have already lived to the age of neutering biasing their life expectancy towards greater length highlighted by the lowered probability of death at year 0 1 in neutered dogs the paper reports Neutering may also act as a proxy for stronger owner responsibility and better care as it is often considered responsible dog ownership Thus neutered animals may benefit from additional survival advantages related to enhanced owner care Neutering may directly affect the risks of various health conditions Life expectancy estimates varied greatly among different breeds and groups Among the Kennel Club KC breed groups and dogs of breeds not recognised by the KC terriers had the longest life expectancy at birth 12 03 years followed by gundogs 11 67 years and non KC recognised dogs 11 66 years A Jack Russell Terrier pup has the best average life expectancy at 12 7 years living up to its reputation as a healthy hardy breed The Yorkshire Terrier placed second with 12 54 years of average life expectancy at birth Border Collies and Springer Spaniels are close behind with 12 1 years and 11 9 respectively Dogs classed as crossbreed also placed high These placements did not come as a great surprise at Dogs Today and sadly neither did the breeds who placed last The French Bulldog placed last by far with an average life expectancy of just 4 5 years at birth Just above is the Bulldog at 7 4 years Pugs at 7 7 and American Bulldogs 7 8 years Breeds that show high levels of potentially life threatening predispositions that start early in life are likely to have a higher probability of death at younger ages and therefore a decreased life expectancy the study reads Indeed four brachycephalic breeds French Bulldog Bulldog Pug and American Bulldog that showed the shortest life expectancy at year 0 of all 18 breeds in our results are also reported with several predispositions to life limiting disorders that occur early in life such as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome spinal disease and dystocia These results are yet another reminder that more needs doing and urgently for the welfare of breeds whose increasingly exaggerated features have led to a disastrous decline in quality of life USEFUL TOOL Commenting on the study Bill Lambert the health welfare and breeder services executive at the Kennel Club said This new tool funded in part by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust VetCompass grant helps us understand and determine more accurately a dog s life expectancy given different factors throughout their lives instead of just based on historic breed estimates This new approach helps us and others to identify particular conditions or events that can happen early on in life that may have an impact on a dog s life expectancy and we hope this will play a part in supporting owners to understand their dog make responsible decisions and provide good care and help would be owners to select the right breed for them While some of these breeds The French Bulldog placed last by far with an average life expectancy of just 4 5 years at birth Just above is the Bulldog at 7 4 years Pugs at 7 7 and American Bulldogs 7 8 years July 2022 Dogs Today 7

have only recently become popular and so we might not have such a full picture of their overall longevity as of yet using information and research to create new tools like this is invaluable in our work to make a difference to the lives of such dogs and their owners FACING THE FACTS Long time readers may find the statement rings a little hollow While this research is a new and valuable insight in our dogs life expectancy the poor quality of life of the brachycephalic breeds at the bottom of the list is far from news A 2016 study published in Canine Genetics and Epidemiology found that Bulldogs have very low genetic diversity resulting from a small founder population and artificial genetic bottlenecks In short they were deemed to be too inbred to improve without outcrossing a solution the Kennel Club has repeatedly rejected Many breeds can be subject to genetic conditions as the result of careless breeding but the situation becomes particularly dire when extreme features are considered desirable and are deliberately bred for as is the case for flat faced dogs Dr Justine Shotton BVA president said These life tables offer an important insight into the life expectancy of popular dog breeds in the UK and will be a useful tool for vets and pet owners in assessing dog welfare A concerning finding is the lower life expectancy for flat faced breeds While the study doesn t prove a direct link between these breeds potential welfare issues and shorter length of life the findings serve as a fresh reminder for prospective dog owners to choose a breed based on health not looks The health issues that come with a flat muzzle especially the severe breathing problems are so prevalent that a Norwegian court ruled recently that the breeding of the Bulldog was a violation of the Norwegian Animal Welfare Act Animal welfare organisations and vets in the UK have been Many breeds can be subject to genetic conditions as the result of careless breeding but the situation becomes particularly dire when extreme features are considered desirable and are deliberately bred for as is the case for flat faced dogs campaigning to raise awareness of the issue and put an end to the use of flat faced animals in advertising the RSPCA has recently launched its SaveOurBreath campaign FLAT DENIAL Yet despite years campaigning and the pledges from the Kennel Club to work to improve the situation dogs with exaggerated features keep being awarded Best in Breed and Best in Group at Crufts with less extreme examples of the breed overlooked time and time again This year was no exception Dr Samantha Gaines dog welfare expert at RSPCA was far from impressed by the exaggerated features of several dogs at Crufts 2022 features that were celebrated despite being detrimental to the dogs welfare The Bulldog Best of Breed was particularly disappointing as a dog with an extreme flat face won out against dogs with features more compatible with their well being Despite the overwhelming body of research highlighting the welfare impact of extreme body shapes and particularly brachycephaly progress has been incredibly slow Samantha wrote However recent positive amends to the French Bulldog REmeMbeR them today and every day WITH A SMILE Take a moment to remember the special pets who are no longer with us but brought endless joy and happiness to our lives At Battersea we know how unique every animal is and understand just how hard the loss of a beloved pet can be Today we re asking you to remember your pets by donating in their memory to help other dogs and cats at Battersea still waiting to find a home where they ll raise smiles every day DONATE IN MEMORY Telephone Monday to Friday 9am 5pm 0300 3231 216 Visit battersea org uk inmemory Battersea Dogs Cats Home is a charity registered in England and Wales 206394 8 Dogs Today July 2022 June 2020 Dogs Today 9

breed standard and prizes given to healthier examples of typically exaggerated breeds earlier in the week did offer a glimmer of hope Sadly this glimmer rapidly faded as we saw the dogs awarded Best in Breed brought out for Best in Group Across all three dogs exaggerated features were still very obvious including flat faces folded and wrinkled skin as well as short and curly tails LIFE TABLE LITERACY Life tables are widely used for humans but are now being applied to dogs for the first time thanks to the access to large scale population information made possible by the VetCompass programme With the construction and application of life tables still in its infancy the paper reads life table literacy is important for veterinary professionals shelter staff and dog owners because it can optimise decision making and subsequently can positively impact dog welfare Life table literacy will promote realistic expectations for the life expectancy of dogs at different ages helping to make treatment plans for illness and end of life decisions Shelters and charities can also incorporate this information in the adoption process ensuring that potential dog owners understand the expected length of ownership commitment required for dogs of different breeds ages and neuter status Should all of this put you off from adopting an adult or older dog whose breed s life expectancy is not all that good Not necessarily and this is where a little knowledge of how statistics work comes into play Think for example of the popular misconception that people in the Middle Ages should have counted themselves lucky to make it to the age if 35 and would be considered ancient by the time they hit their mid40s The average life expectancy was indeed quite low but we now know that it was not overly uncommon for individuals to reach their 70s or even go beyond so what is the cause of this discrepancy The answer is simple the high rate of infant mortality With so many children not surviving into adulthood it s inevitable for the overall life expectancy to be dragged down However if you were to survive childhood and The study found that some breeds including American Bulldog Bulldog French Bulldog Chihuahua Husky and Pug had a probability of death before reaching adulthood much higher than the overall dogs and acknowledges that high rates of mortality in young dogs drag down the breed s average life expectancy were lucky enough to avoid the occupational hazards of the time such as the pox and plague you would have had a fair shot at living to a relatively advanced age well beyond the average life expectancy M A D E W I T H 1 0 0 B R I T I S H M E AT S EARLY DEATHS The same thing happens with dogs The study found that some breeds including American Bulldog Chihuahua Bulldog French Bulldog Husky and Pug had a probability of death before reaching adulthood much higher than the overall dogs and acknowledges that high rates of mortality in young dogs drag down the breed s average life expectancy It is an unfortunate reality that some dogs will die young and irresponsible breeding practices as well as extreme breed standards have a lot to answer for But if you have the chance to adopt one of these dogs even later in life don t let life expectancy put you off they may very well have quite a few years left to enjoy with you And most of all you can make each other happy regardless of how much time you have together P New Ambient Treats Available Now BEEF PADDYWACK LAMB SHOULDER STRIPS FISH SKIN CUBES CHICKEN SAUSAGES PIGS EARS 10 OFF CODE DOGSTODAY22 10 discount code applies to all products Single use only Valid until 31 07 22 O R D E R O N L I N E T O D A Y AT W W W N A T U R A L I N S T I N C T C O M OR CALL 01276 608500 10 Dogs Today July 2022 June 2020 Dogs Today 11

Words BEVERLEY CUDDY Vote Money savers What s the b est money savin g idea you ve disco vered https www surveymonke y co uk r costof dog living2022 The cost of living crisis continues to bite hard and bills are soaring Pet related costs are no exception But together we can pool our knowledge and tips This month pet health PART 3 Keep your dog fit If he has a medical issue don t let it escalate into a bigger problem Get it sorted immediately and keep worming and flea treatments up to date Lynn Howard I heard somewhere that Boots do very low cost vet prescriptions Jaime Hepburn Just paid 19 50 for a prescription used to be 15 to be used twice I buy from Animed and it still works out cheaper than buying from my vet Hilary Backhouse Monthly flea and worm treatments worry me Apart from the unnecessary cost why worm and deflea a dog if they don t have worms and fleas Debbie Channing It s not actually good to use this stuff wormers and flea treatments too often They are not preventatives We only use them when necessary when more natural treatments have failed which is only twice in the last five years We do routine worming about once a year in spring or summer Isobel Deeley I buy Biheldon wormers from Greece identical to Drontal but a fraction of the price Margaret Sierakowski Don t over feed Obesity causes more vet bills Being the ideal weight is the cheapest and healthiest life Donna Sidebotham 12 Dogs Today July 2022 And that s the problem in my eyes There is no independent body to overview and control the indiscriminate charges for a printed off prescription it was originally 5 Susan Webb Look after your dog s teeth and gums to help prevent some illness Lesley White For regular medication ask for a written prescription from your vet and get it dispensed from an online vet pharmacy If it s a human medication then you can also use your local chemist Trish Smith If your dog needs any expensive meds investigate buying from an online vet pharmacy instead Your vet must give you a prescription if you ask for it They will likely charge you for the prescription but you will still save 30 50 on the meds Merete West Hansen Get all your pet drugs online Ask the vet for a prescription Even with the cost of one it still works out cheaper Gill Smurthwaite July 2022 Dogs Today 13

Money savers continued Some people on benefits can get subsidised vet care but if you re working you may still struggle to pay your vet bill Jane Clarke We need to encourage organisations that subsidise veterinary care to help keep pets in loving homes Economic euthanasia is a real thing in the USA I would hate for it to become as common in the UK Colette Kase I m on disability benefits after 40 years of full time work may I add I certainly don t get subsidised vet care We don t have the PDSA or Blue Cross anywhere near where I live Gillian Parry That s why we should help these organisations to grow No one should have to kill a member of their family because they are in financial hardship A society that claims to care about the human companion animal bond and a society that spends millions upon millions of pounds to warehouse dogs that will never be adopted should really think about its priorities Colette Kase 14 Dogs Today July 2022 I am shocked euthanasia for economic reasons is even allowed in the UK In Italy it s not it is only permitted to put an end to unendurable suffering caused by illness or accident Domestic pets are legally classified in Italy as family members Any owner truly unable to care for a pet should find a reputable rescue that can rehome it Isobel Deeley Animal shelters are overwhelmed People should not have to hand their pets over because they have fallen on hard times Animal welfare organisations should not have to pick up the pieces I can t think of anything more horrible than telling Next month Is pet insurance still worth it an elderly person they must get rid of their pet or kill it because they have no money to treat something perfectly treatable Colette Kase I know it occurs sometimes but it should not These are sentient beings Most vets here will try to contact a rescue rather than suppress a healthy dog Isobel Deeley The dogs in the UK are in a uniquely privileged position and a tiny minority of the dogs in the world Colette Kase Yet I am continuously amazed at how backward protection laws for domestic pet animals are in the UK compared to European countries I am associate member of an Italian charity that rehomes rescued Greyhounds from Ireland and galgos from Spain Also in Italy landlords are not allowed to force people to give up their pets as they are in the UK thanks to a law passed in 2013 that recognises pet dogs and cats as family members Here many people are forced to choose between homelessness or abandoning their pets to find rented accommodation As a supposed nation of animal lovers we should do better and learn from nations that are Isobel Deeley June 2020 Dogs Today 15

Words ALESSANDRA PACELLI Illustrations KEVIN BROCKBANK A recent study suggesting breed matters very little when it comes to a dog s temperament caused much discussion and casts even deeper doubts on the logic or lack thereof behind breed specific legislation Broken stereotypes C onducted in the US on over 18 000 dog owners of various breeds and crosses a recent study Ancestryinclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes has come to a conclusion that may surprise many while breed does have some influence over a dog s temperament and behaviour it plays a far more marginal role than is generally assumed This is especially the case when it comes to aggression a characteristic that is often attributed to specific breeds forming the basis for breed specific legislation in the UK and elsewhere Breed offers little predictive value for individuals explaining just nine per cent of variation in behaviour the study reads For more heritable more breed differentiated traits like biddability responsiveness to direction and commands knowing breed ancestry can make behavioural predictions somewhat more accurate For less heritable less breed differentiated traits like agonistic threshold how easily a dog is provoked by frightening or uncomfortable stimuli breed is almost uninformative The research entailed sending questionnaires to over 18 000 dog owners Questions concerned several aspects of a dog s behaviour and habits including the way they eat whether they enjoy chasing a ball their propensity for eating grass and more 16 Dogs Today July 2022 Some behaviours did occur more often in some breeds but the difference was not especially significant leading the team to conclude that breed is not a reliable way to predict a dog s temperament and behaviour which are far more influenced by environmental factors The study concludes In our ancestrally diverse cohort we show that behavioural characteristics ascribed to modern breeds are polygenic environmentally influenced and found at varying prevalence in all breeds We propose that behaviours perceived as characteristic of modern breeds derive from thousands of years of polygenic adaptation that pre dates breed formation with modern breeds distinguished primarily by aesthetic traits LUCK OF THE DRAW Elinor Karlsson a computational biologist at the University of Massachusetts and co author of the study added When you adopt a dog based on its breed you re getting a dog that looks a certain way But as far as behaviour goes it s kind of luck of the draw This study adds to the wealth of evidence against the idea that some breeds or dog types are innately more aggressive or dangerous than others This is the main assumption on which Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act is based Introduced in the UK in 1991 the Dangerous Dogs Act July 2022 Dogs Today 17

BITE STATISTICS A Middlesex University research report commissioned by the government in 2018 Investigation of measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible ownership amongst dog owners with dog control issues in the UK states that participants almost unanimously cast doubt on the idea that breed was a cause of dog attacks noting that either dogs are not inherently dangerous if properly socialised and engaged with using appropriate behaviours or that all dogs could be dangerous if placed in the wrong situations and handled inappropriately Commenting on the bite statistics Lorna Winter director of the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter and co founder and head of training at Zigzag said While this is shocking and sad news what we must remember is that the UK dog population has doubled in the last 15 years therefore as a percentage there hasn t been a huge increase but what we have seen is a change in the causes and influences of this potentially aggressive behaviour One of the biggest problems is the new expectations that we have of our canine companions which have been heavily influenced by social media Dogs are starting to become a commodity item and many Brits are impulsively buying puppies especially during the pandemic without the real knowledge of what they are signing up for These idealised views of companionship instil the expectation that a puppy will come home and be the perfect companion from the word go What we fail to understand is dogs are potentially dangerous animals even a Chihuahua Therefore the onus is on owners to prevent these types of incidents from happening by training their puppies properly By assuming some dogs are inherently dangerous due to their breed or more absurd yet their proportions the UK s breed specific legislation contributes to a flawed perception that other dogs cannot be dangerous If a dog isn t a breed classed as dangerous the reasoning goes they must therefore be safe It is an easy trap to fall into and it can have severe consequences Any dog can be potentially dangerous and any dog may snap without warning in particularly unfortunate circumstances an incident could happen with any dog and any owner That is a risk that can be reduced but never completely eliminated The concept is understandably worrying and it is no surprise that far too many prefer to believe that as long as you avoid the dangerous breeds and do all the right things all will be well S Do 15 pec gs d ial To isc Of da ou fer y r nt ea fo de r rs prohibits the owning breeding selling advertising or rehoming of four types of dogs Pit Bull Terrier Japanese Tosa Fila Brasileiro and Dogo Argentino In the 30 plus years since thousands of family dogs have been seized simply because because of the way they looked many were put to sleep without ever having hurt anyone while others have been allowed to live provided they remain on lead and muzzled at all times in public And in all this time dog bites have been rising indeed dog bite injuries have doubled over the past 15 years Slow down the effects of ageing and extend your dog s longevity with the power of nature OUT OF THE BLUE Lauren Demercado found out in the worst way possible that the unthinkable can happen without warning when her Siberian Husky Ghost bit a child who was visiting her home I had Ghost since he was eight weeks old and he d been perfect a very good dog never aggressive well socialised she recalls Never had a problem with people or dogs he was absolutely lovely A very gentle boy The biting incident took place at Lauren s home As Ghost was eating some food the child began crawling to him while making panting noises as if wanting the sandwich for himself Lauren recalls I told him to stop but he didn t and suddenly as he got too close Ghost turned and snapped catching the boy in the face He screamed and Ghost ran off The child s injuries required hospitalisation and while his mother did not wish to press charges the hospital contacted the police After Ghost was seized vet and animal behaviourist Dr Kendal Shepherd was called in to assess Ghost Dr Shepherd told Dogs Today Award winning oligopeptide discovery can help your dog to recover from even the most extreme cases of injuries chronic pain and immobility helps to regenerate damaged tissue Don t let chronic joint pain ruin your dog s mobility and active life assist with repairing injured joints and ligaments Give BiogenicPet Vitality a chance to get back your dog s vitality and active life alleviates chronic and inflamed joint pain Parliamentary debate On 6 June parliament debated a petition asking for the repeal of breed specific legislation Commenting on the debate in a social media post Dr Kendal Shepherd said So the BSL parliamentary debate took place yesterday afternoon Despite several very well informed anti BSL speakers and huge amounts of evidence to the contrary the ministerial line is still that BSL will not be repealed Does this government not realise that hanging on to breed specific legislation as a purported part of dog bite prevention creates cognitive dissonance and pulls the rug out from under the feet of all other sensible schemes they are currently patting themselves on the back for The Middlesex University study run by Professor Angus Nurse was never specifically asked to look into the efficacy of the law and whether BSL had achieved its aims Why Because this was a question George Eustace and Lord Gardiner could not afford to ask To do so would inevitably highlight the self supporting nonsense they ve both trotted out for years in answer to anyone attempting to point out the injustice ineffectiveness and frank inhumanity of the law as it stands When will they have the guts to admit they ve been wrong 18 Dogs Today July 2022 biogenic pet vitalitychallenge June 2020 Dogs Today 9

COURT FRUSTRATION I also forced my hand deliberately between his teeth Dr Shepherd wrote I asked my assistant to hold his head close to hers while repeating her reprimand Ghost made every effort to avoid closing his mouth on my hand and simply responded to the reprimand with play soliciting gestures such as pawing and gently mouthing Dr Shepherd concluded that the specific set of circumstances in which the bite occurred explained the incident and that Ghost was by no means an aggressive dog The police officers who had Ghost in custody for just over three months agreed that he was not dangerous Despite this even though the child s family pressed no charges Lauren was taken to court They accused me of having a dangerously out of control dog she recalls They wanted me to go to jail and be banned from having animals and Ghost to be destroyed They described him as basically a feral animal a wolf dog was the wording It made no sense Ghost was not a wolf he was a Husky And he d always been so gentle never a red flag Looking back Lauren says it is rather clear that the prosecution 20 Dogs Today July 2022 Looking back Lauren says it is rather clear that the prosecution was trying to make Ghost fit in a mould he was not a banned breed and therefore not a dog classed as dangerous by default but they still tried to explain away the incident by remarking on how wolf like he looked rather than accepting that accidents can happen with any breed regardless of looks was trying to make Ghost fit in a mould he was not a banned breed and therefore not a dog classed as dangerous by default but they still tried to explain away the incident by remarking on how wolf like he looked rather than accepting that accidents can happen with any breed regardless of looks Dogs of any breed may have snapped in Ghost s situation she says Looks would not have been brought up if the boy had been bitten in the face by a Chihuahua I can only imagine what they would have said if they d thought he was a Pit Bull In the end however Lauren was able to return home with Ghost and a voluntary control order of keeping him on lead and muzzled in public As the incident had been a one off and Ghost passed the assessment with flying colours Lauren thought the nightmare was behind her for good Unfortunately she was wrong At a friends get together while Lauren was distracted Ghost nipped a child he d gone with in the kitchen once again over food No hospitalisation was required and the child only had a scratch but the mother would report the incident to the police if Lauren did not and she knew it would be a death sentence It would be the second time I knew that if they took Ghost he would stay in kennels for who knows how long before being put to sleep And I wouldn t even have had his ashes back Lauren says So I took him with me to the seaside spoiled him made sure he had the best days he could have and then I had him put to sleep myself It was the hardest thing I ve ever had to do He was my baby he was my everything I went through some things in life he helped me find a purpose CAUTIONARY TALE I blame myself a lot I keep thinking I should have been able to stop it from happening both times But he was always so good I think it s easier to handle if you know your dog has aggression issues you know to expect it to plan for it When you have such a good and gentle dog it comes out of nowhere You re not prepared I wish I d known then what I know now He was not an aggressive dog but he was still a dog still able to bite And any dog can bite Commenting on Ghost s story Dr Shepherd said I was shocked and saddened to hear of Ghost s death but very moved by Lauren s bravery in coming to her decision At the time I questioned whether my assessment had been thorough enough or the behavioural conclusions overly optimistic But upon reflection we do have to accept that no assessment can ever be entirely predictive and cover all future eventualities I hope as Lauren does that Ghost s story will be taken not as a cause for criticism but as a cautionary tale reminding us that There but for the grace of God go I P SuperDog takes our 50 years of award winning nutritional expertise even further all the innovation and careful effective formulation you d expect from Vitabiotics now available for your special companion From vitality to healthy joints and bones SuperDog formulations provide optimum levels of micro nutrients to safeguard the diet of your furriest family member Joints Bones Health Vitality 60 Chewable Tablets 60 Chewable Tablets Proud supporter of Battersea caring for dogs and cats since 1860 Amazon Ocado Paws com and Vitabiotics com From 2022 05 06_ADSPDCONP that she assessed a beautiful and bomb proof dog and that she found several factors that explained why the bite had happened Throughout the assessment Ghost was found to be well behaved and friendly He obeyed standard obedience commands and happily tolerated grooming as well as mock veterinary examinations No food guarding tendencies were noted even when the food was presented to him and then taken away or his head moved forcefully away from the bowl No aggression was noted in Ghost s play behaviour he showed no possessive tendencies he would react to a mock conflict being played out before him by moving away and he showed good tolerance to frustration being shown but not given food as well as good behaviour around a baby buggy Ghost had no aggression towards dogs either Nielsen GB ScanTrack Total Coverage Value Unit Retail Sales 52 w e 29 01 22 To verify contact Vitabiotics Ltd 1 Apsley Way London NW2 7HF Vitabiotics Ltd will donate 35p VAT from the sale of each SuperDog product to Battersea Dogs Home Limited which donates its profits to Battersea Dogs Cats Home registered charity number 206394 Stockists may vary June 2020 Dogs Today 21

Illustration by Kevin Brockbank Great Debate If you have an opinion on this subject that is not already covered here email enquiries dogstodaymagazine co uk putting Great Debate in the subject line Please limit your response to 100 words Shelley Tomsett I run two groups one for my puppy buyers and others interested in my dogs One is purely for advice for all owners of the six Dachshund breeds The first is easy and everyone gets on OK sharing photos asking questions and being an excellent resource all round The advice group has a few moderators all with different skills and experience I set it up as I got fed up answering the same questions over and over There s lots of advice about all aspects of owning training and occasionally breeding Dachshunds It s a wonderful resource and we all get on well doing what it says on the tin until new owners with their first dogs try advising others with useless or poor information Also it s open to all countries and lots of advice from abroad is so poor and uneducated it becomes difficult But all in all it has been helpful to the breeds and has the breed council s backing and I hope it continues to do so Lots of the general groups for the breed are just used as photo opportunities and lots of very poor advice is seen on there and it s often used to surreptitiously sell puppies We have a group dedicated to IVDD intervertebral disc disease which has now evolved into a charity offering strollers GingerLeads etc for recovering dogs and major advice to those with affected dogs There is a very good support group for dilute bred Dachshunds that helps to educate about the inherited problems too All in all it s more positive than negative although I often despair of the more pet oriented groups with less than well informed admins Tamara Cartwright Loebl I left all the dog groups when I was ill For a newbie there s no way of telling what advice comes from a qualified professional and what from a casual owner and often the wrong people sound more convincing than the professionals because they will be certain and emphatic A professional will rarely be that quick or certain in an answer because there are so many factors at play in most situations that more information is always required and the OP may not have even understood the problem correctly in the first place I was spending hours carefully addressing someone s issue only to have some idiot pop up with You re wrong or I disagree and without any reasoning and give some far simpler solution that would usually harm both dog and owner and occasionally the public Then I d have to either enter battle with that person or ignore them and talk to the person who asked the question knowing they were likely to go with the easy option instead And those people Are online groups doing more harm than good to novice dog owners Isobel Deeley Groups are great for general support and a chat but for proper advice it is better still to do one s own research or turn to professional canine behaviourists who know what they re talking about and who run online courses and have pages on social media You can get the odd bit of good advice in a general public group on social media but it is pretty random and should hardly be the first port of call if you need professional advice on any aspect of dog ownership 22 Dogs Today July 2022 Lynne Land I was invited to help with a Facebook group for people wanting to learn to care for their Poodles coats and over lockdown it grew into all aspects of caring for our dogs We ve had the odd weirdo trying to stir up trouble but generally it s my absolute favourite group A couple of our group have so enjoyed my frequent live teaching they have learnt to become dog groomers People who didn t know how to brush their dogs are now bathing them trimming them and doing their nails I m proud of the whole bunch of them Clare Andrusyk As an owner of multiple dog groups I can understand the dilemma The admins of my groups are all qualified professionals in multiple areas that s the difference and comments made from the general public on advice seeking posts are monitored as much as possible Judgement in the dog world is horrible no matter what your profession in the industry we still get torn down by our peers Dianne L Stewart Gist Probably more harm Everyone is an expert Nope not really Paul Watkinson There will always be a few that spoil it for the rest but I believe it s still a positive thing to have online groups Just think if we didn t have any at all get so aggressive when you challenge their ignorance It was taking a large amount of my time and making me seriously ill so I had to just walk away knowing that every knowledgeable person who walks away leaves the field open for the crazies Nowadays I simply recommend people find a good behaviourist from one of the reputable organisations and pay them for their expertise Too late for me but there s even a good online group now where only selected professionals are allowed to advise and other members have to pay to be in the group I think this may be the way forward Phillip Bunn At this point learning how to deal with toxicity is an essential life skill if you re going to do much of anything on the internet training your dog or otherwise One of the best things you can do is not feed the trolls Resist the temptation to respond to people who are being intentionally inflammatory don t even acknowledge their comments Sue Bellamy I m glad for the Lakeland Terrier group Without it I wouldn t have my lovely Dudley Emma Judson From a group admin point of view I believe a few can do some incredible good Dog Training Advice and Support has over 300k members and has released a book Dog Training and Behaviour Solutions that is selling very well But that group was set up because of the existence of dog training advice groups that are horrific giving out unqualified dangerous advice to people without the knowledge or experience to tell good from bad We d rather people weren t looking for advice on Facebook or other social media but as that is where they are looking we felt it better to provide good solid support here than expect people to go elsewhere DTAS is so good we have copycat groups who are giving out awful advice so now we have to try to combat that as well People who think they ve joined our group may have joined one of the wrong ones From a personal point of view I have left so many groups as a result of bad advice breed specific groups tend to be spectacularly dire with very outdated training advice based in alpha pack dominance theory rather than actual science I have joined just one hats off to the Picardy Sheepdog Club of UK that offers up to date modern sciencebased training but they re a very small group for a numerically very small breed that hasn t been in the UK all that long That said groups are probably why I have stayed a Facebook user for so long if I want to know how to do a thing I will see if there is a group for that thing However these are groups on things like how to play the lyre harp and British spider identification so again groups run by people with expert knowledge in a subject July 2022 Dogs Today 23

Great Debate Back when I was a small child we were taught that checking sources and evaluating them was a necessary part of learning That bit stuck the understanding that you have to look at not just what is being said but who said it when they said it in what context why they said it I don t think people apply this to social media They really should Annette Courtney Once upon a time we all had a good relationship with our vet and our dog trainer We never dreamed of doing anything we were not sure of without consulting them or our favourite dog magazine full of tips from the people who knew The face of the expert on group chats is fast becoming the cheap alternative to expertise and qualified canine guides Followers of certain dog breeding or puppy groups are now turning to these experts thinking they know what they are doing and can give them immediate answers and a quick fix The person who wants recognition who sets up the group has more than likely no qualifications to answer correctly Worse still the other members jump on to each post adding their 10 pennies worth leading to the novice owner or breeder being bombarded by confusing answers The unfortunate person asking the questions may be inexperienced as a dog owner and can be led down a path that eventually will either worsen the situation or cause illness that will end up costing a fortune at the vet s or irreparable damage to their canine buddy When things do go wrong from the various answers it s immediately back online to ask more questions Before you know it war has erupted and the poor novice owner just wanting the best for their dog has fast become victim of a hate campaign The owner then dare not talk to 24 Dogs Today July 2022 anyone and quickly deletes themselves from any dog related groups But even worse they dare not talk to the vet and trainer because they are ashamed to admit what they ve tried already from the advice of the groups on social media Once upon a time having a puppy or breeding a pet litter was fun it was a family adventure Puppy owners if you want that then do what most experts say and stay offline unless it s a group from your dog s breeder who should have qualifications and will be able to help your trainer s or your vet s group Then you can embrace puppy ownership the right way with proper solid guidance Jessica Lonsdalebull I have a group for the owners of my pups It s become the only reason I still have Facebook It s lovely It s a kind friendly and welcoming place the owners have made friends and shared the littermates lives with each other Advice is asked and shared from insurance to poo It s a huge support for me too a super place to direct those researching the breed to speak to owners and arrange meetings with existing owners and see how the breed integrates into different lifestyles It s a real community it was never the intention but completely evolved into that I think it s been running for seven years and I have never had to step in to manage a disagreement or rude judgement There is a bit of spam but that s it a 100 positive happy place This month s result 20 47 33 Yes No Maybe Louise Anne Partly depends on the IQ of the new owner I suspect If they re the kind of person that takes everything at face value and believes everything and never critically evaluates anything then they could be a bad thing Otherwise I think online groups have a lot of merit Gillian Monk I run a group with over 5k members We don t tolerate any unkindness and if any appears it s quickly removed I really hope the members find it a helpful and supportive group That s certainly what we aim for Denise Nuttall It depends on the knowledge of admins and other members I ve come off most forums because they send my blood pressure up Forums I ve been on show conflicting advice and there have been spats among different approaches It must be so confusing for new dog owners P Yes 20 No 33 Maybe 47 WITH CODE UKDOG22 Next month s topic is Great Britain has temporarily suspended the commercial import of dogs cats and ferrets if they originate from or have been dispatched from Belarus Poland Romania or Ukraine until 9 July 2022 It is meant to hit puppy imports but all charities operating in the area and rehoming dogs to the UK are affected too This includes anyone in Ukraine trying to rehome pets left behind Should the ban be tweaked to make an exception for charities Email editorial dogstodaymagazine co uk with your thoughts putting Great Debate in the subject line or write to Great Debate Dogs Today The Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA 10 OFF Senior Range for cats dogs 100 natural supplements Supports supple joints Maintains a healthy heart digestion and urinary tract

Words REBECCA WALTERS Photo Nicki Cameron www theartofdog co uk Unsocial media Following on from our Great Debate Rebecca Walters offers some advice on getting the best out of the groups you join A sking for a friend No hate please Don t shoot the messenger but These common phrases are used in posts asking for advice on social media every day People are worried about asking questions but why Social media groups are generally run by well meaning passionate people who invest hours of their time in supporting and championing whatever their group topic is These groups are often a wonderful source of advice for free However every group has that member The one who is on social media all day The one who has years of experience in the chosen subject The one who knows it all And if you happen to not agree with said member or perhaps use slightly the wrong language they turn into a keyboard warrior and woe betide you You will need to buckle up for the ride if flanked by their cronies they decide that they do not agree with you or anything you innocently typed You will be publicly humiliated and forced to skulk off feeling small insignificant and worst of all not prepared to ask a question again Sound familiar I see it daily across various groups I am a member of and what is worse some social media platforms now reward regular posters with badges like group expert and regular contributor It s a scary world when you can earn that title for doing nothing other than commenting on a few posts And the initial purpose of groups diminishes They become a place that rewards the same members regardless of the quality of their contribution 26 Dogs Today July 2022 I see lots of group experts spouting their opinion but if they spent as much time on their hobby as they did on social media they would indeed be qualified to preach However the fact they are always online fingers poised and flexed for action speaks for itself At Pupstarts Breeders ethical education is close to our hearts As part of our pledge we run several breeding advice groups It is hard work Striking a balance between opinion and fact experience and knowledge is a very tricky thing to achieve but it is possible You need strict rules and a stringent group of admins If groups are to be balanced and productive for their users they need to be as neutral as possible without groups of cronies SCARED AWAY In breeding groups I see breeders reaching out for advice They are often anxious and learning on the job which is not only dangerous for the dog but for her unborn puppies too They are often met with hostility and rudeness They were trying to learn grow and be better but too many are slapped down How does that help It is not going to put them off breeding it simply serves to leave them and their dogs in the dark Most advice sought in the groups we run are either behaviour or veterinary related Most puppy owners have not yet grasped the difference between behaviour and training and so the unethical practice of free advice rages on No behaviourist worth their salt would attempt to diagnose and treat a patient online it is not possible to do that effectively or safely without potentially risking lasting effects for the dog Yet still we see a daily diatribe of outdated aversive advice being lapped up across social media When it comes to veterinary questions there really is only one answer if you have concerns over your dog s health and wellbeing please seek the advice of a qualified vet who can assess and diagnose appropriately Real experts don t have time to sit on social media dishing out their knowledge to a load of strangers The real experts are at work being rightfully paid to share their expertise When we consider the longterm damage that can be done to dogs and puppies by unqualified unpoliced group experts dishing out their opinions it is frightening For me social media is a place to share chat and discuss our passions be that dogs puppies or breeding To educate is to illuminate and you cannot illuminate those dark little corners of bile and vitriol hosted by those who are closed minded So choose your groups wisely and post your questions in places where you will get balanced and educated advice If you are reading this and want to stand in line with forward thinking educated dog breeders or you are a puppy owner wanting support or advice look through our website and join our free friendly support groups here www pupstartsbreeders com Breeding Group https www facebook com groups 265120361995185 New Puppy Owners Group https www facebook com groups 866568367182534 P PREMIUM AWARD WINNING RAW DOG FOOD MMMMM PALEORIDGE CO UK PALEORIDGE SEARCH PALEO RIDGE RAW ETHICALLY SOURCED RECYCLABLE COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING AWARD WINNING PREMIUM QUALITY

Spyro Photo Wandering Dog Photography Photo Cristian Ielli Words ALESSANDRA PACELLI The Cane Lupino del Gigante which roughly translates as little wolf dog of the giant the giant being a specific mountain in the range that is the breed s ancestral home is a breed believed to be a thousand years old Once on the brink of extinction its numbers are steadily increasing and one has made the journey to the UK S ingle handedly taking on the mission to save an ancient Italian breed from extinction was not something Cristian Ielli had planned to do in his own words it just happened The Lupino del Gigante they really look like little wolves is a breed I grew up with My 28 Dogs Today July 2022 grandfather s own grandfather had these dogs and probably others before him going back centuries Cristian says The Luvin as it was traditionally called in local dialect has been by the side of shepherds in the Reggio Emilia area of the Apennines near Mount Cusna for hundreds thousands of years While it is not recognised by the ENCI Ente Nazionale Cinofilia Italiana the Italian Kennel Club it really is its own breed genetic research proves it There are five different phenotypes but these dogs all belong to the same ancient breed As they worked alongside Photo Cristian Ielli On the way up shepherds on the Apennines Luvins were bred and selected for different uses Medium sized ones would commonly help to herd sheep while larger ones would help herd cows Smaller ones would work with horses as they were small enough to duck beneath kicks another powerfully built type the testa pesa heavy head would work as a guard dog Most dogs had short smooth fur but some were of the bearded variety or had curly hair For centuries each type had its own job until quite suddenly they didn t The traditional shepherding ways in the Apennines were lost very quickly to industrialisation and with them so went the Luvin Cristian says The jobs it was bred to do were simply disappearing Their numbers dropped very fast and outcrossing with breeds previously unknown to the area July 2022 Dogs Today 29

WOLFISH GOOD LOOKS 30 Dogs Today July 2022 area around Mount Cusna as well as the few specimens left when Cristian s work began these dogs don t have a high inbreeding coefficient and the association is careful to ensure it stays this way It s a healthy breed we have no intention to ruin that Cristian says We are very careful breeding them and very mindful who we give them to new owners need to sign a contract accepting the rules of the association We are working a lot to get people in the area to know these dogs again ITALIAN IMPORT However it is not only people in the Apennines who are rediscovering this dog photos of Luvins caught the eye of someone much further afield in Britain James Munro the owner of the only Lupino del Gigante currently in the UK says I found out about this breed while googling entirely by accident I always liked German Shepherds and northern dogs so the breed s looks caught my eye Words CLAIRE HORTON BUSSEY and on the way out From the wolfy Cane Lupino del Gigante we now turn to the Irish Wolfhound and Deerhound which are now both considered vulnerable native breeds F rom its registration figures the Kennel Club identifies which breeds of British and Irish origin are at risk of disappearing Those breeds with fewer than 300 registrations a year are classed as vulnerable and those with between 300 and 450 are put on the at watch list Irish Wolfhound 198 registered in 2021 Five years ago 372 Irish Wolfhounds registered but the past two years have seen registrations fall below 200 Given the breed s size it s understandable that this isn t a dog for everyone space is needed in the home garden and car to accommodate one and bigger dogs mean bigger bills But for breeder Fran Barnbrook bigger dogs mean bigger rewards You don t need a big house just a big heart says Fran who has had Irish Wolfhounds for 50 years and currently lives with eight all in the home I can t imagine another dog no thanks she says They are amazing animals It s like having a guardian angel at your side all the time The breed is very intuitive she says before telling me how her dogs will accept visitors but only friendly ones Once a guy was in my house and began to attack me Paddy appeared out of nowhere to protect me roaring like a lion But mostly they are peaceful calm dogs I love the quiet and relaxation of walking them says Fran They are such laidback dogs Deerhound 198 registered in 2021 In 1825 Sir Walter Scott described his Deerhound Maida as A most perfect creature of Heaven To this day I don t know of a single Deerhound owner who would not agree to this description Being a sighthound their gaze into your eyes is almost like they are looking deep into your soul They are sensitive beings and respond to their owners moods and feelings Developed centuries ago to hunt red deer across rough terrain they are just as happy being loving companions and adapt well to modern family life They are loyal and friendly good with other dogs and depending on how high their natural prey drive is can be trained to live with smaller animals They are usually quiet and gentle at home but will happily run and play with great gusto One minute they can be lazily draped on a sofa and the next they are being clowns and bringing a huge amount of joy and laughter to their owners Although the law in the UK now forbids them to hunt deer there are plenty of other activities that can be enjoyed such as lure coursing agility and of course the show ring if that is your preferred hobby A well developed adult Deerhound comes from the correct rearing of youngsters and in their first 18 months of life great care must be taken to provide the correct nutrition and exercise for their long growth stages If this is carefully observed Deerhounds make the most wonderful pets and give so much pleasure to their owners Ali Morton www cotherstonedeerhounds com such as the Belgian Shepherd or German Shepherd made matters worse An ancient breed was being lost In 1997 upon returning from military service then 20 yearold Christian decided to get a dog He wanted a Luvin and as he struggled to find any he realised how dire the situation truly was At that point I decided to take on a male and a female and do my part to keep the breed surviving until someone would come around and start building it back Cristian recalls At the time I didn t realise that someone would have to be me It started almost as a game and in the end it took all my free time after work Then I created the association Cane Lupino del Gigante so that like minded people could help me save and protect this breed We re planning to set standards for each type of dog in the breed We now have about 500 dogs and the numbers are growing Despite the historical genetic isolation of the breed in the We get a lot of questions about what he is He is a very calm dog and a lot of people thought him older than he was when we first began walking him We take the chance to share some information though I wouldn t want people to just decide they want one for the looks Someone showed interest before but I didn t feel it was for the right reasons Despite his wolfish good looks Spyro is very much a dog one who d make an excellent fit for an active household James says Having him in the house is fantastic He is very calm and relaxed and very intelligent We have to use a lot of games to keep him active and he needs lots of chew toys When I take him out walking we try to do a lot of activities He s a good family dog and I feel he would make a good working dog too James would like to enter Spyro in Discover Dogs and other events to make the breed more widely known but he s not rushing into it Cristian is very cautious on who gets one of these dogs and I entirely see why he says There are plenty of people who may want to get a wolf like dog for all the wrong reasons This is an amazing breed and it deserves better P James with Spyro Photo Wandering Dog Photography However it was not only the good looks that got James hooked When I started looking into it I couldn t find much info which made me even more curious Then I found the website and the more I read about their history the more fascinated I was he says After more research James got in touch with the association and eventually five month old Spyro undertook the journey from Italy to the UK I was a bit concerned about the trip back which entailed travelling by car ferry and plane James recalls But Spyro took it all in his stride and is loving life in the UK July 2022 Dogs Today 31

Victoria Stilwell time for them to turn around and head for home My clients then practise walking with their dogs by their sides and when they are ready the cue word is given in a cheery happy voice with their dog s full attention on them before they do an aboutface and head off in the opposite direction Dogs are motivated by different things so I encourage my clients to use treats toys or just fun body language to motivate their dogs to turn with them The Emergency U Turn You cannot always control what happens outside so knowing how to bail out quickly from a potentially difficult situation is vital 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 Illustration KEVIN BROCKBANK 32 Dogs Today July 2022 A s the days get longer we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief and spend more time outdoors with our dogs Going for a walk is one of life s pleasures and while my dogs and I look forward to our daily excursions I am well aware that some people do not feel the same I have had many clients over the years that dread the daily walk because it has become a chaotic and unpleasant experience I understand how they feel because I used to dread it too When Sadie my Labrador came into my life in 2007 she had already lived for five years with an elderly lady who showered her with love and food but could not walk her As a result of this social isolation from other dogs Sadie adored people but felt very uncomfortable around dogs she had not been exposed to A massively overweight bundle of love came into my life when the lady died and Sadie immediately became a much loved member of the family Inside the home she was an angel but outside she became a snarling gnashing monster when she saw other dogs I took a deep breath and used everything in my training toolbox to make her feel more comfortable Sadie lived with us for 11 years until she passed away at the grand old age of 16 Even with her challenges I miss her every day and wish she were back with me again Sadie loved to run off the lead but initially I could only let her do it in fenced in areas where I knew we would not encounter other dogs I loved seeing her run and as her stamina grew the weight began to fall away Sadie was finally getting the exercise she so desperately needed My experience with Sadie helps me understand what my clients go through including the embarrassment and fear they experience when they walk their dogs It is an overwhelming feeling but once people know they are not alone and understand that lead reactivity is a very common problem they are empowered to work on it Helping dogs feel more comfortable on the lead starts with understanding why they behave in such an intense way We cannot know exactly what our dogs are thinking but I do believe that lead reactivity is a result of dogs feeling restrained frustrated and uncomfortable by a piece of rope that is tied to us and that inhibits their ability to act naturally In an ideal world dogs would greet others only when they felt comfortable enough to do so but most dogs do not have that luxury We walk them with the best of intentions but sometimes we do not realise how overwhelming being outside can be for them FROM CHORE TO MORE Where am I going to use the BAILING OUT Thankfully there are many ways you can help your dog feel less agitated on a walk Sadie was a much happier dog after I worked with her and even though it took a long time to build her confidence in various social situations I am forever grateful that at the start of our journey together I discovered the emergency U turn The emergency U turn or when you turn away from a potential trigger with your dog by your side is very useful if you have to quickly get your dog away from something that makes them feel uncomfortable You cannot always control what happens outside so knowing how to bail out quickly from a potentially difficult situation is vital When I teach a dog a new skill I first encourage my clients to think about the answers to four simple questions emergency U turn When should I do it What does an emergency U turn look like Why should my dog cooperate with me Here is a written example Where will I use an emergency U turn Anywhere I might encounter something my dog finds stressful on walks playing in the park coming around corners in hallways When should I do an emergency U turn When I cue my dog to turn around and walk away What should happen when I say the cue My dog should immediately do a 180 degree turn with me to the left or the right and walk away with me in the opposite direction from a trigger Why should my dog cooperate with me Because they will get a yummy treat a game of tug or a big feeling of relief by moving away from a trigger that causes concern Once my clients have the answers to these questions we find a quiet place where they can teach their dogs this skill such as a back garden or a quiet area of the park We then explore a cue word they can use I like to use the word turning because the tone of that word is light and joyful rather than serious and alarming and it is also a word my beloved grandmother used with her dogs when it was If you try this technique with your own dog make sure you introduce this skill only when your dog is comfortable and you are in a place where they can focus on what you want them to do Always keep your voice and demeanour light and cheery so that when your dog hears the word turning or whatever word you want to use they know that you are about to do something fun You may feel a little silly doing the emergency U turn when there s no emergency but practising this skill when you and your dog do not need it will make it much easier for you both when you do It is also a good idea to practise this skill off lead too but only in a safe area to begin with and only when your dog has a solid recall Do not tempt fate and push your dog into a situation where they could fail Walking Sadie went from being an embarrassing chore to an activity we both enjoyed She learned a lot during her time with me and I did too but while we were learning we always had the emergency U turn to fall back on And even when Sadie was fluent with the skill I still used it when there were no dogs or triggers present so that she did not associate the cue or action with any particular stressor Ultimately the emergency U turn was just one big fun game with an important purpose It was a skill that gave us confidence and made both of us feel safe in times when we needed it which thankfully became less and less as Sadie s confidence grew P July 2022 Dogs Today 33

Postbag Your news views Get in touch We love to hear your news and views and see photos of your dogs Natural Goodness Unleashed No additives or preservativ es Natural dog treats handmade in Scotland Email editorial dogstodaymagazine co uk Write to us at Dogs Today The Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA Supporting small charities through the Arran Dog Bakery Charity Pledge TIME TO MOURN Our recent Great Debate on whether workers should have time off to mourn the passing of a beloved pet touched a raw nerve in many people Some responses came too late to be published in the feature but are well worth sharing I believe everyone should be entitled to time off to process the feelings of loss after their dog passes I have recently said goodbye to my first baby before children and my husband after we discovered she was in the advanced stages of transitional cell carcinoma Jessica passed away during tests at a specialist vet it was very sudden and it completely floored me This is my first experience of losing a dog Jess got me through two family losses my first heartbreak and acted as my emotional support dog over the 11 years she was here I am thankful that I work for myself and can provide myself with time to grieve I never realised how hard it would hit me I assumed I knew what to expect given I lost two very important people in my life but I genuinely feel worse losing Jess You see our dogs forever rely and depend on us to care for them but we often don t realise how much we rely and depend on them We off load our emotional baggage on them every single day without realising it When we ve had a hard day we look forward to coming home to find the wagging tail and the 34 Dogs Today July 2022 endless cuddles on the couch This constant support becomes a life support we seldom stop to appreciate and that is why we suffer so much when they pass I am utterly shattered over the passing of Jessica The emotions surge in waves throughout the day I m in no fit state to work my normal hours At the very least employees should offer half days or chances to work from home to help accommodate I would be more than willing to provide such services to my staff Here s a photo of my Jessica She was cremated and I was able to visit her to say one final goodbye before bringing her home to rest Stephanie Zikmann Monthly subscriptions available Join the debate Voice your opinions on news stories and other topics on our Dogs Today Magazine Facebook page or through our website www dogstodaymagazine co uk Shop online at www arrandogbakery co uk S hould workers get time off when a pet passes away Absolutely It was a huge shock to find out in 2019 that our Miggle had late stage kidney disease In the space of 24 hours she went from being an apparently healthy bouncy young dog to a mere shadow of her former self with only weeks to months left to live The next two months were precious stressful and emotionally draining Miggle was hospitalised a number of times and each time we were convinced that would be it but she was a little miracle dog and bounced back until she didn t Inevitably the kidneys won the battle and we had to make the incredibly hard decision to say goodbye to her She was gone before we could even process it If Miggle were a human family member I would have been given at least a day or two off work to deal with the grief the funeral and so forth I d g entle cold pressed dog food Gentle cold pressed is a complete dog food and naturally as close to raw feeding as possible suitable for all breeds and life stages and can be fed alongside raw Original Flavours Small Bites Fish Goat Free from gluten artificial flavourings artificial colouring preservatives animal experimentation and GM products gentle by name gentle by nature E info gentledogfood co uk M 01409 251063 W gentledogfood co uk

If you want to pay tribute to a departed pet or have a suggestion for a lost star dog write to us at the address on page 3 or email editorial dogstodaymagazine co uk and put Tribute in the subject line Ellie Holding June 1989 to 9 June 2002 Ellie on the 20th anniversary of your passing you are still very much loved and missed Glad to have sat under Thunder and rain with you And grateful too For sunlight on the garden If only I could stay For me you ll always be here We will meet again Until then be at peace Derek Holding 1 June 2007 to 16 April 2021 Derek found as a tiny kitten close to death you defied the odds and pulled through My brave little fighter you became such a great friend my constant companion during the pandemic The story of I love you It has no end Sleep tight see you on the other side Loved also and still missed Sweep Spike Ned Sunshine Georgia Ferdinand and Phil I don t know what s to come but I ll stay Beside you I ll stay beside you through the ages Stay well until we are all together again Pat and Bryan the Lion 36 Dogs Today July 2022 Photo posed by models Obituaries Your tributes Postbag continued had the presence of mind to discuss this at work when Miggle became ill The answer I got was what I expected pets were not considered in the compassionate leave policy and it was unlikely to be approved I only know of one company that takes a different stance Lionhead a computer games studio where my husband worked afforded his colleague three weeks when his dog died Having experienced the same loss this seems reasonable although I was met with amused derision when I mentioned it to some colleagues a few years ago Losing a pet is one of many examples of disenfranchised grief as it often goes unacknowledged or unvalidated by social norms Miggle and her brother Sevvie are the first dogs I ve owned myself and they ve been in my life since they were 10 week old puppies I always knew I d fall to pieces on losing her but I was still surprised at how visceral my reaction was There were many sleepless nights tearful days and times when I felt so fragile that the smallest thing could break me I experienced heart palpitations headaches feeling queasy with sadness and a complete inability to focus It would have been impossible to handle work in the days following Miggle s death Knowing the likely answer to a compassionate leave request in my volatile state I chose to simply book myself off sick for mental health Despite knowing I needed it in the snatches of time where I could think about something other than Miggle I felt guilty for dropping my workload into other people s laps This feeling diminished when I went to the GP after a week of floating in a haze of grief still struggling with a foggy mind and lapses in my usually impeccable memory He signed me off work with stress for another week without hesitation at which point I accepted the fact that I wasn t OK and that being away from work for a while was I expect that the guilt I felt being off sick would have been significantly lessened had I booked compassionate leave if it had been possible From a company perspective I can understand the reluctance of including pets in a compassionate leave policy as it would open up the possibility of abuse The cynic in me however would say that anyone willing to game the system is probably already doing this Conversely the impact on the mental well being of those who had found themselves in my unfortunate position would be significantly positive Losing a pet is the loss of a family member and can have as much of an impact on mental health as the passing of an important human figure in our lives If our employers acknowledged this and granted bereavement leave this would help pet owners immensely during such a difficult time Annabella McCullagh Dogs welcome Receive a five star service from our friendly award winning teams catering to every canine need We provide our paw some guests with a welcome letter dog bed and plenty of other treats and extras Our hotels are the ultimate retreat for dog owners to relax EDENHOTELCOLLECTION COM 10 05 2022 EHC indd 1 21 04 2022 10 41

Photo posed by models Postbag continued AGEISM IN RESCUE In our May issue we published a letter from a person who was not allowed to adopt a dog on account of being too old Some of our readers responded R egarding the letter from Lancelot Walton on being too old to rescue at 78 if you look at other requirements from rescue centres age isn t the only problem They want large secluded gardens with a 6ft fence if you already have a dog it has to be a young dog and they only want you to walk your rescue in an area where it won t meet other dogs Honestly Then they complain about having so many dogs wanting homes We are in our 70s with two elderly working Cocker Spaniels and we have just rescued a Breton Spaniel from a shelter in Spain We think he is about three We have had him three weeks now and he is a delight I recommend Animal Angels Global who arrange everything they were brilliant I feel sorry for all the dogs in the UK wanting homes but if the rescue agencies don t lighten up and get a bit more sensible with their requirements then these dogs will be in shelters for years Sheena Standring I was annoyed and frustrated when I read the letter from Lancelot Walton If a drug addict or other unsuitable applicant went into the centre to rehome a dog they would not be able to tell by appearance and would happily rehome a dog Some of these rescue centres will advertise urging people not to buy but to rehome What choice has someone got if they won t allow a person to rehome even if all precautions are in place such as an elderly person already having made arrangements in case of their demise Can these centres not offer to take a dog back in these conditions They are encouraging people to buy either a puppy or a retired breeding dog at often exorbitant prices I wonder if these people assuming they are dog owners or wish to be when they are not in work in the future will look at themselves and tell themselves that they are too old Jean Collinson FALSE ECONOMY Burns Pet Nutrition have responded to a discussion broadcast on This Morning in May which saw Alice Beer giving advice on pet costs during the challenging financial climate I n offering ways to save money for those who own a pet and are struggling with the cost of living crisis Alice irresponsibly deemed price to be the most important denominator when selecting pet food Burns have called out this advice as reckless and implied that the show s producers did not seem to understand the wider picture Alice explained that if the packaging carried the Pet Food Manufacturers Association PFMA logo the food would be complete and contain all the nutrients the dog needed and in the correct proportions She recommended pet owners could confidently switch to a cheaper supermarket food and save 5 per month John Burns founder of Burns Pet Nutrition responded to Alice Beer and This Morning by saying The food doesn t have to carry the PFMA logo to be complete It s a legal requirement to state whether a pet food is complete or complementary whether the manufacturer is a member of the PFMA is irrelevant to that Much more importantly however the choice of pet food you decide on for your pet can have a huge bearing on their health and well being Hundreds of thousands perhaps even millions of pet owners and 38 Dogs Today July 2022 vets know that not all pet foods are the same And not all dogs are the same Many health problems can be managed and avoided by choosing the correct food This may require trialling different foods to see what best suits the individual animal The quality and choice of ingredients is hugely important to the health and well being of the pet Many pet food manufacturers don t even list ingredients by name but use vague descriptions such as cereals meat and animal derivatives rather than listing individual specific ingredients This allows them to change recipes indiscriminately without having to change the packaging Many pet owners will have watched this programme and know from experience that Alice was talking nonsense but many will be misled into following her irresponsible advice John also added For those owners looking to save money on their pet food here s my advice the majority of UK pets are overweight or obese Many other health problems are caused by overfeeding Most pet owners could save money and improve the health of their pet by reducing the amount of food and number of treats they give their pets P

Words BERNARD BALE Dilyn is a rescue dog and we wanted to give a dog a home so we made some enquiries and here he is in charge and a great member of our family He s good fun to be with and we go for walks quite regularly Photos Instagram borisjohnsonuk animal rescue The link was vet Marc Abraham who knew both the Johnsons and the charity Eileen is obviously delighted that Dilyn not only got a second chance but really landed on his feet by becoming the pet of the PM I am thrilled for Dilyn she said It is a real rags to riches story and he seems to have taken to his fame rather well His adoption raises awareness of the campaign against puppy farming and also highlights the importance of adopting rather than shopping for puppies I think it is great that Carrie and Boris picked such a normal scruffy little terrier rather than going for something more fashionable VOTE WINNER Dilyn of Downing Street What is it like to be top dog in politics Since Dilyn the four legged supremo who lives at 10 Downing Street is refusing any interviews we had to find out from those who know him best including his dad Boris Johnson T he media became very excited when a new dog moved into Downing Street but the truth is that Boris has always had a liking for dogs I spent some of my growing up time in the country and of course there were animals all around us Most people had dogs and of course there were plenty of horses 40 Dogs Today July 2022 around as well as farm animals said the prime minister Because of moving around and work commitments Boris Johnson did not think it fair to have a dog until he felt more settled and that was where Dilyn came in Dilyn is a rescue dog and we wanted to give a dog a home so we made some enquiries and here he is in charge and a great member of our family said Boris Dilyn s story is quite inspiring He was born on an unregistered puppy farm in west Wales and had a slightly overshot jaw The breeder considered that he was not going to make any money and therefore Dilyn was basically on death row However Eileen Jones who runs Friends of Animals Wales in Rhondda came to the rescue after hearing of his plight She took Dilyn in had his jaw corrected and then went about finding a new home for him Little did she know that Dilyn was going to become famous Boris and Carrie Johnson were looking for a dog and wanted to support Boris and Carrie are pretty thrilled as well and delighted that he settled in so easily Dilyn moved in with his own bed and toys but of course he has had regular gifts since then and is clearly a happy chappy A spokesperson for the prime minister said at the time The PM has always been a passionate supporter of animal welfare and believes in giving animals the best start in life That has proved to be true since Boris likes to spend time in the Downing Street garden each morning to prepare his mind for the trials ahead and guess who is always with him yes Dilyn He s a lovely little dog and good company said the PM He s good fun to be with and we go for walks quite regularly That cannot be denied Dilyn even accompanied Boris when he went to vote in the May local elections The press cameras flashed and Dilyn was perfectly happy and showed that his relationship with the PM is on a pretty good footing The Downing Street cat might have other ideas though Larry the cat has become something of a Downing Street superstar and even had a book written about him He has now lived with three different prime ministers from David Cameron to Theresa May and now with Boris Johnson The potential rivalry between him and Dilyn never happened Perhaps it was because Larry was a rescue cat and has certain sympathies with his canine colleague They are aware of each other but don t really have anything to do with each other so there is a distant cordiality said Boris Just as well really because there has been one issue concerning Dilyn which the prime minister revealed when on a visit to the Surrey Police headquarters in Guildford and admired the police dogs including a German Shepherd called Zorro Dilyn is very energetic and playful said Boris It can be a bit awkward at times because he seems to target people s legs for attention The police officer assured him that they did not have such problems with their dogs It is hoped that Dilyn is learning the errors of his ways and does not cause any strains in diplomatic relations by expressing his delight at meeting visiting dignitary FAMILY FAVOURITE Dilyn has certainly done his bit for charity by appearing on the front of a fundraising greetings card and there is no doubt that his profile may be put to further use In the meantime he is a muchloved little dog doted upon by the PM his family friends and visitors which is not bad for a dog whose life was nearly over before it began I ve always had a love of dogs and it is good to be able to help those of them who need a home said Boris Dilyn is an important part of our family P July 2022 Dogs Today 41

Words CLAIRE HORTON BUSSEY A new book has just been published that celebrates London s vibrant dog community We catch up with the photographer behind the work Canines of London I f anyone was destined to produce Canines of London it s Bridget Davey A dog loving photographer with a love of travel and inspiring locations Bridget first thought up a similar project back in 2018 before life and work got in the way and the idea was pushed to the back of her mind So it was spookily coincidental when she was approached by a publisher a year later to put her idea into action She finished shooting in January 2020 and then came a global pandemic But now two and a half years later the book is finally published The first dog in the book is a Beagle called Porthos pictured with Big Ben Fittingly Porthos was the reason that Bridget became a dog photographer Her first dog whom she sadly lost in 2019 Porthos inspired her to follow her 42 Dogs Today July 2022 dreams and capture people s canine companions and all their quirks Based in London and Bedfordshire Bridget is more than at home in the nation s capital and its doggie side thanks to Lucy and Archie Beagle find them on Instagram under tails_of_two_beagles Lucy and Archie are my location scouters treat testers and cheese connoiseurs says Bridget Lucy is 12 and Archie is two and a half Lucy and Archie did a fabulous job as photographer assistants and the finished product is a book that contains almost 300 photos of diverse dogs from across the world The project was truly international with people and dogs from Europe to Asia to South and North America taking part Bridget explains Working in London with dogs is amazing and also very challenging at the same time Bridget says Busy streets lots of smells for dogs and so many people ducks and squirrels in the parks and lots of noises Not to forget the very interesting British weather which can change from a sunny afternoon to rain and storm in about five minutes HISTORIC BACKDROP Apart from these things mentioned above London is pretty cool for photography You have old historic buildings next to shiny skyscrapers and old traditional pubs It is truly the pawfect backdrop to showcase our tail wagging heroes and furry companions And Bridget should know as she has travelled the world to photograph dogs You will find me at sunrise in front of Angkor Wat standing in an ice cold Canadian lake to capture a dog s portrait lying in the middle of Trafalgar Square in a puddle to get the reflection and climbing the Great Wall of China at sunset All just to get the shot I have travelled to more than 15 countries to photograph dogs with the highlights capturing a Corgi on the Red Square in Moscow Egyptian street dogs in front of the pyramids in Cairo a Frenchie in Paris and a dog at the stunning Moraine Lake in Canada Travelling and dogs are my why Bridget has also worked across the UK accompanied by Lucy and Archie of course They have explored the UK from the beaches in Norfolk to the Welsh mountains and the Scottish Highlands hiking in the Peak District and adventuring around Devon They are her favourite dogs of course but when it comes to all the wonderful models in the book did any of them take a special place in Bridget s heart All the dogs did such an amazing job posing for the book they are all my favourites All the dogs who came were simply outstanding they are all the stars Some dogs were seasoned models and for some it was the first time in front of a camera From a tiny Mi Ki to a big Czechoslovakian Wolfdog every single one did so well Four paws up to all of them P Canines of London can be purchased from all good book stores or online at Amazon Books Dispensary or WHSmith July 2022 Dogs Today 43

B My Dog Crush red to be an all rounder the Spanish Water Dog is smart and versatile with curls to die for Sponsored by NO MORE PULLING NO MORE RIDING UP NO M REVOLUTIONARY HEAD Awarded Best Dog Collar Manufact Endorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA Fe Call to join the ever growing number of people chan Character Two thirds of our survey owners described their dogs as sensitive and said it s easy to tell when their feelings are hurt 43 said these are the happiest dogs on earth and just over half 52 described them as very vocal 64 are very affectionate and many told us of their dogs loving loyal natures Exercise M 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 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 44 Dogs Today July 2022 Spanish Water Dog Most of our SWDs had an hour s exercise a day though a third had more than that with a lucky 21 getting two hours or more every day Energetic was a common description of this breed with owners advising that only active homes should apply Grooming The thick curly woolly coat can form cords when long It should be clipped one length all over once or twice a year and regular attention should be given to avoid mats but never brushing or combing Ask the breeder for full details as maintenance will depend on the type of coat your dog has 94 said they experienced no shedding and 68 are groomed less than every fortnight Training behaviour SWDs are smart and thrive when trained and kept mentally occupied 62 said their dogs are very intelligent but easily distracted and half said SWDs were mischievous and liked to play deaf at times 85 have a good or very reliable recall with half recalling most of the time if there are no distractions Two thirds took part in training sports and activities such as agility tracking water tests dock diving obedience and rally O herding heelwork to music disc dog hoopers search and rescue scentwork and field trials That extensive list shows just how versatile this breed is When it comes to behaviour our survey revealed that the breed can be choosy These dogs are not an easy breed and need careful upbringing and socialisation to ensure they are able to cope with the world around them advised one owner 48 dislike some other dogs 61 are a bit wary of strangers and 85 are territorial and will give a warning bark if someone comes to the door When it comes to feline friends 14 are good with cats the same number ignore cats and 34 hate cats Although they can be reserved with strangers initially they love the companionship of their family and do not like being left for too long Health The Spanish Water Dog Club has a useful page about health at www spanishwaterdogclub co uk breed health Dogs should be tested for hip dysplasia and eye tested for goniodysgenesis glaucoma progressive retinal atrophy prcd PRA and early onset PRA The club recommends that parents are also DNA tested for neuroaxonal dystrophy an inherited neurodegenerative disease and congenital hyperthyroidism with goiter In both cases carriers of the gene should only be mated with those tested clear With a number of dogs imported from Spain leishmaniasis should be considered a disease spread by the sandfly in southern Europe and elsewhere across the world Symptoms can take up to several years to present after infection The club recommends that prospective owners check the results of any litter s parents Our survey owners also reported ear problems 51 skin problems 36 eye problems 15 cancer 12 and allergies 22 NO MORE PULLING NO MORE RIDING UP NO MORE RUBBING NO MORE COMING OFF NO MORE DISCOMFORT REVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLAR 9 TIMES WINNER OF Product I can t live without Awarded Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 2021 UK For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST Global 100 2020 WINNER Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 UK Winners 2013 2022 Dogmatic UK Ltd is on Facebook Call to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www dogmatic org uk July 2022 Dogs Today 45 Photos by Tim Rose www timrosephotography co uk Our survey of Spanish Water Dog owners revealed

My Dog Crush Best names Traits Pancho Xavi Smart Luca Active Beanie Loyal Lucia High energy Chiquita Loving Lola Owner s view J Origins T he Spanish Water Dog was bred for multiple uses helping to move flocks on land to bring in nets for fishermen and to take the boat tow rope to shore to guard the fishing haul and the farm and to hunt and retrieve on land and in water But with modern farming methods the dogs were not used as widely and the breed was in danger of disappearing Thankfully two breed enthusiasts Antonio Garcia Perez and Santiago Montesinos revived the SWD trawling southern Spain in the 1970s searching for suitable dogs to include in a breeding programme finally achieving recognition for the breed with the Spanish Kennel Club in the mid 1980s 46 Dogs Today July 2022 Complex Downsides Guarding instinct Can be dog reactive Can have a strong prey drive Can be vocal ennifer Hall has two Spanish Water Dogs Tia Mia a black coated eight yearold and Bonita a six year old brown She was attracted to the breed following the death of her chocolate Labrador The breed was smaller and more compact as I was growing older I first saw them when visiting a friend for coffee and she remarked that we could see a litter of puppies belonging to her neighbour When it came to choosing a pup Jennifer was attracted to Tia Mia whom she remembers as being the most laidback in the litter whilst still being brave and playful Being brave is something of a breed trait when it comes to protecting their loved ones Like most breeds they are quirky she says My girls are very guarding of me and our territory not to the nasty side of being guarding but more I know you are there and giving a warning The coat is another key feature of the breed and although it is said to be non shedding it does require regular attention Tia Mia does not show so I keep coat to about 2cm It is clipped twice a year though I do finger groom every day to make sure it does not form mats Jennifer explains I also have a single blade mat slitter to help with mats Then she has a little coconut oil massage because she loves it I also tease out the long hair from her ears and trim the hair with snub nose baby finger nail scissors Bonita s coat is considerably different it mostly forms ringlets all over and mats easily I allow it to grow to about 3 5 inches she is clipped once a year usually Again I finger groom daily and split each ringlet if it forms two tufted ends gently removing the fluff ball at skin level Mats form mostly where the collar fits under the armpits and inside the front and back legs at the base of the tail and behind the ears Both of mine moult balls of fluff despite them being supposedly non shedding They must never be brushed I hardly ever bathe them and I never rub at the coat shampooing with a gentle squeeze I allow them to air dry after a squeeze with a towel I also check over the coat and between the paws regularly for the barb grasses just in case Jennifer enjoys the grooming sessions and so do they she says seeing it more as a one to one bonding session rather than a chore SWDs are very quick to learn and Jennifer found them easy to train One will run all day and will swim and play in the water The other much less so but is more wanting to be with me at all times They are very versatile and make good gundogs with the obvious correct training The SWD is a great breed that will try the utmost for you with whatever challenge you set them P NO MORE PULLING NO MORE RIDING UP NO MORE RUBBING NO MORE COMING OFF NO MORE DISCOMFORT REVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLAR 9 TIMES WINNER OF Product I can t live without Awarded Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 2021 UK For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST Global 100 2020 WINNER Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 UK Winners 2013 2022 Dogmatic UK Ltd is on Facebook Call to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www dogmatic org uk July 2022 Dogs Today 47

My Dog Crush Best Facebook groups Love the breed Shop the breed All things Spanish Water Dog Spanish Water Dog Community SWD Spanish Water Dog Spanish Water Dog key wristlet in black pink tan or grey with gold or silver coloured metal 8 50 from Dog Owners Gifts on etsy com Spanish Water Dog cookie cutter personalised with your dog s name Various sizing and price options from 64mm wide at 9 89 plus 5 67 postage to 127mm for 12 51 From Cookie Cutters Factory on etsy com Advice for wannabe owners Socialise Very active breed they need lots of exercise Not great for first time owners They are very smart and need to be mentally challenged Put a lot of work in from the very beginning Do a lot of research beforehand There are lots of variations in their temperament so it s very important to get to know their parents and meet as many dogs as possible to understand the differences in their personalities Water babies Unsurprisingly water was mentioned many times in the survey 50 said the wet stuff is like a magnet and that it s hard to keep the SWD out of it 25 will swim but aren t obsessed with water and 10 will avoid it if possible some don t even like going for a walk if it s raining Pedro used to be able to turn the bathroom sink tap on It was a twist tap so he would paw at it until it twisted and water came out one owner told us Another said After a meal she wipes her face with both paws like an otter NO MORE PULLING NO MORE RIDING UP NO MORE RUBBING NO MORE COMING OFF NO MORE DISCOMFORT REVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLAR 9 TIMES WINNER OF Product I can t live without Awarded Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 2021 UK For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST Available in pink blue green and grey these soft feel scarves measure approximately 70cm wide x 180cm long and are finished with a fringed end 19 99 from Branding House on etsy com 100 Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 UK Winners 2013 2022 Dogmatic UK Ltd is on Facebook Spanish Water Dog Mom super soft touch T shirt in black grey or white from small to 2XL 14 80 from Warya T shirts on etsy com Spanish Water Dog porcelain mug made in Denmark Dishwasherand microwavesafe 59 13 from Dog Plates on etsy com Keep an eye on the Spanish Water Dog Rescue website www spanishwaterdogrescue org uk as the festive season approaches as they raise funds by selling an annual calendar and Christmas cards NO MORE PULLING NO MORE RIDING UP NO MORE RUBBING NO MORE COMING OFF NO MORE DISCOMFORT REVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLAR 9 TIMES WINNER OF Product I can t live without Global 2020 WINNER Call to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www dogmatic org uk 48 Dogs Today July 2022 v When Spanish Water Dog Henry almost died from inhalation toxicity caused by synthetic fragrance after he sniffed a reed diffuser his owner Tim Rundle Smith started to make his own natural scents and Twoodle Co was born This Henry wax melt oil burner is handmade and perfect for the Twoodle scents 45 from Twoodle Co on etsy com or visit the London store near Brick Lane Awarded Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 2021 UK For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST Global 100 2020 WINNER Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 UK Winners 2013 2022 Dogmatic UK Ltd is on Facebook Call to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www dogmatic org uk July 2022 Dogs Today 49

Illustration by Kevin Brockbank posed by models Quick question 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 question to enquiries dogstodaymagazine co uk How can I keep my dog safe and hydrated in heat EXPERT ADVICE As we head into summer Dr Anna Foreman vet at Everypaw Pet Insurance advises how much a dog should be drinking in hot weather and how to tell if something may not be right Dogs should drink between 15 45ml per kg of bodyweight each day on average In the hot weather a dog will drink more water much like humans however rather than sweating they lose water to cool off through panting and so will drink more to replenish themselves Normally this will not exceed the 45ml kg day if a dog is consistently drinking more than this regardless of the weather then they should visit the vet as it may be a sign of an underlying issue Equally if a dog is seen to be consistently drinking more than their norm even if it is within this bracket a vet visit is also recommended Drinking more water than normal or urinating more than normal can be signs of kidney disease and diabetes among a myriad of other conditions Clean water A thirsty dog will tend to seek out water If this is not readily available to them then they will drink from any source puddles streams etc We do not know the quality of this water how dirty it is and whether there are any chemicals in it so drinking water should always be made readily accessible to animals both at home and on the go There are plenty of portable water devices for animals now on the market There is also the risk of wild water being contaminated with rat urine which can harbour leptospirosis This can be a deadly condition if contracted by a dog Fortunately it can be vaccinated against it is recommended to keep your pet s vaccinations up to date regardless but especially if they frequent woods or fields Good hydration We can tell if our dogs are dehydrated by looking at their gum colour and hydration If an animal is well hydrated their gums will be pale pink and moist if dehydrated their gums will be pale and dry They may also have a skin tent a prolonged flattening of the skin when it is tented up over their scruff and 50 Dogs Today July 2022 sunken eyes Every breed needs water equally but some dogs will get warmer more easily than others and so be more prone to dehydration Hot dogs If a dog is hot they will pant and seek shade and cool surfaces to lie on Dogs with thick or double coats often pant more to cool off than other dogs If a dog gets too hot heatstroke can develop this is when the body s internal temperature rises above 39 2 degrees C due to being in external heat for too long Not only can dogs get heat stroke from being outdoors in the sun but they are also very prone to developing heat stroke if left in enclosed spaces without ventilation such as cars and the back of vans or by being exercised in warm weather Some breeds of dogs cannot tolerate the heat particularly exercising in the heat as well as others Brachycephalic breeds such as Pugs and French Bulldogs are particularly prone to heatstroke and so extra care should be taken with these dogs in hot weather Additionally older dogs as well as those with underlying health conditions do not tolerate the heat as well as younger healthy ones Dogs in general should not be exercised in the middle of the day in warm weather instead the cooler early mornings or evenings are far safer A dog won t die from missing one walk but they can if they go for one in hot weather Heatstroke prevention is key but noticing early signs can also save lives If a dog shows any signs of dehydration is excessively panting passes any vomit or diarrhoea or is weak or lethargic they should be taken straight to the vet to have their temperature checked In the meantime active cooling measures such as wrapping the animal in a cool water soaked towel can be put in place an animal should not have cold water thrown over them as this can lead to shock P July 2022 Dogs Today 51

NICHE MARKET A lucky Canis africanis makes a successful transition from life as a village dog to that of treasured pet R ather than being selectively bred by man into specific utilitarian behavioural types across the centuries elsewhere in the world a process which ultimately led to the establishment of breeds Canis africanis has fulfilled many different behavioural roles for humans They have been used to help herd sheep goats and cattle to guard against predators and help humans in the hunt and they have also been appreciated simply as companions especially as puppy playmates for children They have come to be known by a great variety of names according to which tribe they have adapted to life with across Africa and their respective languages Names include the Bantu dog umbwa wa ki shenzi meaning traditional dog in Kiswahili 52 Dogs Today July 2022 the Hottentot hunting dog the Khoekhoe dog the Tswana dog and the Zulu dog Other local names include Sica Isiqha Ixhalaga Isigola I Twina and Itiwina PURE MADNESS While generally looked down upon as strays by European settlers in Africa who preferred their imported and more specific taskdeveloped dog types and breeds Canis africanis was certainly held in higher esteem by the colonialists than the Indian pye dog or pariah dog was in India which was seen mostly as just a zoonotic diseasebearing scavenger In recent times efforts have been made to protect preserve and promote Canis africanis and to recognise it as a breed This has led to attempts to prevent it from being split into a number of different breeds based upon their slightly differing distinguishing physical features across their enormous range of Africa when in fact that local variation is all part of what makes up this highly adaptable type of dog It simply isn t and can t be a single form In South Africa the Africanis Society of Southern Africa has been established ostensibly to preserve Canis africanis in the same way that most other dog types around the world have been defined and genetically isolated into breeds and then regulated by kennel clubs This is really no more than genetic manipulation and the seeking of racial purity something we find so abhorrent when human beings attempt to develop a master race The very things that made any breed look the way it does originally are therefore altered often with quite deleterious impacts on their welfare eg Bulldogs and many modern dog breeds with their huge variety of heritable diseases behaviour eg Border Collies who have lost the innate ability to herd but not their high energy and demand for activity and stimulation and paradoxically in some appearance eg the extremes of some brachycephalic breeds and also the polarisation of some such as the heavy chested strongly built original working Springer Spaniels and their much more lightly built whippy pet strains In other words attempts to protect and define Canis africanis as a breed may ultimately achieve no such thing rather the opposite No dog of any breed ever gave a single jot about how pretty they are or being a good example of their breed as judged by people or winning a rosette at a dog show Dogs evolved to do what dogs do best which is live around man and they are so successful at that that there are a billion of them in the world as a result most of them still living and breeding as village dogs and thankfully far from anyone who would think to enter them into a dog show Canis africanis we are glad to say will likely and largely resist such a fate and carry on doing what it does best being a human adapted village dog and subject to the selection pressures of its special biological niche not one engineered by dog breed racists Several years ago my Andrew young son Gordon and I were at a local shelter Not long after our arrival Gordon disappeared I found him some time later sitting Peter Neville with dingo The process necessarily involves pursuing conformity to some prescribed physical appearance in a breed which defines how a dog should look and behave Competitions with judges in dog shows now determine the winners and breeders rather than ongoing natural selection of freeranging dogs within a village or human directed selection for any dog s ability to perform specific behaviours and its accompanying social tolerance with other dogs and people in the human village environment Peter Neville above was an Adjunct Professor at the Ohio State University USA for many years and one of the co founders of the cutting edge behaviour and training course provider Coape the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology see www coape org Andrew Rae with African Painted Dog Safari adventures by Andrew Rae Peter Neville both of Rae Safaris Peter now works as an ethology guide with our guest author Andrew Rae of Rae Safaris above specialising in tracking and studying African Wild Dogs and other large predators all over southern and East Africa and on Iceafaris in Antarctica www raesafaris co za When he is not doing that he lives in Helsinki Finland with his partner Stella Spooch their Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and two loud cats Peter has presented a canine behavioural case history for Dogs Today from his behaviour practices in the UK and South Africa since our very first issue and has invited Andrew to step in to write the current special series covering Africa s wild canids including foxes and hyenas Peter and Andrew have just finished writing a book Memoirs of a Safari Guide with former Dogs Today cartoonist Russell Jones covering their many amazing and hilarious experiences in Africa Publication is due later this year July 2022 Dogs Today 53

at an enclosure utterly transfixed by one particular dog The dog in turn was sat just staring right back at Gordon completely oblivious to the other dogs nearby or anything else going on in the world around him He was quite the most magnificent Canis africanis that I had ever seen perhaps something to do with the proper diet he had obviously been receiving at the shelter but also something very ethereal and proud about his very comportment PET PERKS Needless to say he came right home with us and he and Gordon have been inseparable ever since His name is Benji and he is an intrinsic and loyal member of our household and family and a multifaceted adaptable African to his very core We love and protect and care for him and he protects us as a fabulous guard dog He makes us laugh and is a great companion for us all just as valuable a symbiosis but as a family dog now rather than a village dog And so thankfully he doesn t have to scavenge or raid latrines to feed himself as his ancestors recent relatives likely did in a village rather he gets the best dog food and a variety of tasty meaty scraps as his prize for living even closer to man The price of course is that he doesn t get selected to breed naturally or deliberately in fact not all at all The price of civilised domesticated living for this pet Canis africanis as with most pet dogs was to be restricted in his wanderings trained and castrated but he probably thinks it was worth it as he tucks into his daily tasty meals Benji s type will continue adapting and living in villages Join our exclusive Sub Club Benji Safari adventures With newsagents and supermarkets reducing their shelf space for magazines it s getting harder to find us Help us by subscribing and reap the rewards Buy Get your first issue for only 1 Then it s 9 99 quarterly by Direct Debit direct and save more than 17 a year UK only and a rather different looking and behaving type of dog bearing his name might be developed into a breed by kennel club types but young Benji has successfully made that transition from village free ranger to coveted pet His relatives back in the village probably view him as something of a sell out or a dreadful snob but he sure looks happy right where he is P Save money enjoy a 17 04 saving over the year Delivered free to your door Subscriber only competitions page 59 15 voucher for PurrfectlyYappy com minimum spend 75 Call us for the special code Chance to win one of 50 Nerf dog toys Get the magazine before it s in the shops Call 01276 402599 lines open weekdays 9am 5pm or subscribe online www dogstodaymagazine co uk product dogs today uk subscriptions All new subscriptions will commence with the current issue Overseas prices Europe 65 20 for 12 issues Rest of World 79 80 for 12 issues The first 50 new or renewing subscribers this month will receive a fabulous Nerf dog toy so even your dog can benefit It s a win win win situation Please remember to include your dog s breed size and age in Dog breed and size during checkout Subscription gifts are only available to the first 50 subscribers each month sorry UK subscribers only By entering you confirm that your details will be passed on to the company providing these prizes for the purposes of distribution marketing 54 Dogs Today July 2022 July 2022 Dogs Today 55

Tea break L D T G T P R Q E Q E N A B E O Q K M H D U R D A I J G L E D V A N U F F W U A G E N O N D A R W R A P O D L N B B Z P P A T I U U S I L S H G A T B R M C A A F O N W W R DDO I E K H G O A N R C G K N O A R C C M F L S I E E O L S M W M C C N S X K H R C U E U H D A Y K Z V C N Z E G C S V S O S L B I R P O M E R A N I A N C I X R E I R R T H S I T T O C S S W E D I J E I S H I L A P G D H N G L P ALA S Do you have a funny pic you d like us to feature Please email it to us with Caption pic in the subject line THE RE S U G BKN P H U N D C Affenpinscher Newfoundland Cane Corso Pomeranian Chow Chow Poodle Cocker Spaniel Pug Great Dane Schipperke Hungaran Puli Scottish Terrier Labrador Swedish Lapphund Criss cross 2 Sandy let herself down at the office party the lyrics to Gnarls Barkley were on the tip of her tongue Send your Caption Competition Cross Question entries together with your contact details via email to comps dogstoday magazine co uk or post to July Competitions Dogs Today The Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA to arrive by 30 July 2022 June Caption Runners up Cross Question Can you guess which breeds Linc s parents are I m telling you that pesky vet didn t even warm up the thermometer Nikki Attree 5 Amber I didn t poo in his bed Laura Marshall 6 Winning caption Tamsin Crothers 7 George sang while Beryl blew the tune in raspberries They knew their act was unique but would anyone hire them Suzie Day 8 June Cross Question Solution Across 1 3 4 6 8 au Nikita ambient fat fist fandango huh dongles glandered bias jen Down 2 atlas make manual 5 drug honey 7 UK sail Atlas s parents are a Rottweiler and a German Shepherd The first correct answer came from Robert Dyer July 2022 Dogs Today 57 Rottweiler German Shepherd by Tim Rose www timrosephotography co uk TIP Keep a note of your dog s microchip number and database details on your mobile phone Notify the microchip company immediately if your dog goes missing and register on www doglost co uk How to enter I said Show me you re canine not Show me your canines Julia O Connor 4 Don t know which database your dog s microchip is registered with Type your chip number into www check a chip co uk The person who sends the first correct answer to the Cross Question will win a pack of SmartBones a healthy alternative to rawhide from www purrfectlyyappy com 3 Check your chip Since April 2016 it has been compulsory for all dogs over 8 weeks of age to be microchipped and details registered and kept up to date with an authorised database Have you checked that your dog s chip is working is correctly registered and all contact information is up to date The winning caption will win a Fuzzu A Gorilly Named Billy Dog Toy worth 13 99 from www purrfectlyyappy com Just for fun Use the clues to fill in the words below and solve the anagrams of some ancient breeds Words can go across or down Letters are shared when the words intersect 1 Winners of the Cross Question and Caption Competition will win a prize from Purrfectly Yappy Photo submitted by Nikita Norman Can you find these breeds that can be black Search up down forward backward and on the diagonal to find them 56 Dogs Today July 2022 Can you come up with a witty and amusing caption for this photo FRY MORTH Criss cross answers 1 Akita Anu 2 Alaskan Malamute 3 Tibetan Mastiff 4 Afghan Hound 5 Greyhound 6 Greenland Sled Dog 7 Saluki 8 Basenji L P N U P Can you find the three names of advice centres for dog lovers F H N L M X Unscramble the jumbled letters in the circles E N O Z N A Q E O Caption this Just for fun In the ring answers A Dial A Dog B The Furry Dogmother C The Bark Angel L In the ring Just for fun Photo submitted by Lee Carpenter www dirtydogphotography co uk Wordsearch Put the kettle on and have a go at our competitions

Prize crossword Compiled by Gyles Brandreth Quick clues Down Across 1 Give birth to puppies 5 4 And 18 Across Rough haired hounds 1 Cleaned with water 6 2 Brilliant display or effect 5 3 The common misspelling of this 1 often black or black and tan 7 8 8 Persian Greyhounds 7 9 de Tulear dog with origins in 10 11 13 17 18 21 22 23 24 4 Madagascar 5 Type of muscle 8 Overall intake of food 4 Low long bodied hunting breed 6 5 Terrible tsar 4 See 4 Across 8 Bleu de Gascoigne French breed 5 Prehistoric period 4 3 Student 7 Blood eating jumping insects that thrive in dog s coat 5 5 6 7 12 14 15 16 19 20 lapdog of oriental origin 8 Short square muzzle is feature of this US breed 6 7 Possible infestation around dog s ears and neck 4 Balkan hound coarse haired or short haired 7 Number represented in Roman numerals by XC 6 Barking sounds 4 4 Dog of Mali origin 7 Wild Australian dogs 6 Evaluate 6 Give speech 5 Pop former TV talent show 4 4 8 9 10 11 13 17 18 21 2 1 3 4 6 5 7 22 23 8 9 24 11 10 1 2 14 16 15 17 18 19 3 4 20 21 5 22 6 24 Name _________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ____________________________ Postcode _________________ Telephone _____________________________________________ Email address ___________________________________________ Breed type of dog _______________________________________ 58 Dogs Today July 2022 12 14 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 information Q 15 16 19 20 Cleaned a garden hut after onset of winter 6 Crufts leader entering awfully late gives brilliant display 5 Dog rather tired perched on laps say 8 In store Robert arranged to get a dog 6 7 Parasites infesting Puli certainly 4 One unusual strain of hound A number I catch in American city 6 Repetitious barking 4 4 Extreme characters mostly awake start to hunt African canine 7 Aussie canines vanish amid loud noises 6 Judge the worth of a female donkey 6 Speak elaborately in part 5 One terribly old celebrity 4 Not yet subscribing Visit www dogstodaymagazine co uk or turn to page 55 to rectify that immediately This month s prize Keeping your dog hydrated is so important particularly in these warmer months This H204K9 water bottle for dogs is ideal for taking on walks or trips out to ensure you always have cool fresh clean water with you and there s no need to worry about taking a bowl as the patented lid has been designed to accommodate a dog s natural drinking style Made from 18 8 food grade stainless steel with a toxin free polypropylene screw top lid and a food grade silicone gasket to keep the bottle watertight this is a high quality stylish yet functional product Best of all H2O4K9 is 100 recyclable These 25oz 700ml bottles are designed for larger dogs and are all available in stainless steel with five brilliantly colourful lids blue green orange pink and yellow The prize is for a blue lidded bottle If you aren t lucky enough to win this time you can buy the bottle from https purrfectlyyappy com products h2o4k925oz stainless steel dog bottle in blue Good luck Win this The winner of this month s crossword will receive a pack of Soopa Cranberry and Sweet Potato Dental Sticks Find more Soopa dog treats at PurrfectlyYappy com How to enter Complete the crossword grid then post your entry to arrive by 30 July 2022 to July Crossword Dogs Today The Old Print House 62 High Street 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 Code Breaker Can you crack the code to find this dog related joke We ve given you the word DOGS to get you started June Solution Across 1 Bobtail 5 Stray 9 Beagle 10 Persia 11 Hair 12 American 13 Dogged 15 Border 17 Spaniels 20 Hits 21 Stroll 22 Neuter 23 Daisy 24 Tibetan Down 2 Oregano 3 Tiger 4 Iceland 6 Terrier 7 Akita 8 Apse 14 Gun dogs 15 Basenji 16 Estrela 18 Petra 19 Ella 20 House A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U VWX Y Z 25 8 4 26 O ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 7 4 20 23 13 14 1 14 18 11 14 O ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 1 24 4 10 19 14 18 11 24 4 10 ___ ___ ___ 5 6 1 19 D ___ O ___ G ___ 24 25 4 O ___ ___ 1 O ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Basenji by Tim Rose www timrosephotography co uk 7 23 Produce dog litter with assistance 5 Nationality of shepherd dog could be Bengali 7 Sarah is keeping United Kingdom dogs 7 Madagascar breed to begin with seen in Ascot once 5 Muscle formerly less relaxes some might say 8 Ted returns having consumed one lot of food 4 Hunting dog given fish you caught in the end 6 4 Russian I found at the front 4 Rings off disturbing the dogs 8 Great description of Blanc at Noir breed 5 A region plundered in time gone 4 3 Educated person found it s sunny all round Switzerland 7 Many a dog suffers from these and runs away we hear 5 Down 12 13 Hello subscribers We think it s time for you to get even more perks than just getting the magazine cheaper postage free and before everyone else This area of the magazine is just for you to say thank you for supporting us by buying your magazine direct We really appreciate it and it really helps us Cryptic clues Across Sub Club Dogs Today 4 5 6 11 25 18 20 16 23 1 11 19 10 O ___ ___ ___ 4 G ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 5 5 1 20 20 26 D ___ ___ ___ G ___ S ___ ___ ___ ___ 1 S ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 8 8 11 8 26 ___ ___ ___ ___ 1 9 23 5 6 D ___ O ___ G ___ 25 4 8 How to enter Email your answers to comps dogstodaymagazine co uk and put July Sub Club in the subject line We will need your full name and address to check you are on our current subscriber list Or post the answer with your name and address to July Sub Club Dogs Today The Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA or enter online at www dogstodaymagazine co uk category competitions One winner picked at random after 30 July 2022 will win the prize For full terms and conditions see page 3 July 2022 Dogs Today 59

Classified adverts Holidays Training Services Products Want to advertise your business in our classified section In accordance with the government road map Email mike dogstoday magazine co uk or call now on 01276 402591 PEAK DISTRICT Very dog friendly family run Country Inn with self contained rooms in the grounds Open e from th l 12th Apri 2021 Dog Partridge Boturnell Farm Cottages Dogs stay free We can t wa it to see you Fabulous Beer Garden Terrace serving Dinner Lunch and Drinks Overnight stays short breaks available from 12 4 21 In room dining also available for all meals including breakfast and drinks Home from home for you and your dogs If they are relaxed then you can relax Every cottage has an enclosed garden for those late night early morning comfort breaks www dogandpartridge co uk www dogs holiday co uk 01335 343183 PLUS 8 acres of woods Throws for the furniture Animal rst aid kit www kateboats co uk Phone 01926 492968 Email enquiries kateboats co uk 60 Dogs Today July 2022 Raw Pet Food of the Month The name Kiezebrink has been connected for generations with European poultry farming Still controlled by its founder Kiezebrink is now an international seller of animal food The UK division is located at Barrow in Suffolk since 2002 and is directed by Alasdair Gordon Focus on Food has long been the raison d etre of the company and they have made it their mission to supply high quality reliable animal feed along with excellent advice and service to its customers Kiezebrink offers an extensive range of natural raw dog foods which are either produced by ourselves or sourced from our reliable accredited suppliers We only us the best fresh ingredients available to ensure you are giving your dog the very best quality natural raw dog food Advertising feature We are a family owned business with self drive narrowboats for weekends and short breaks and week long holidays from both bases Stockton or Warwick We also have boats available for longer hire periods when you want to escape and include your canine family member This is not camping on water the boats come equipped with everything you need for a relaxing holiday afloat fully equipped galley including fridge and 4 hob gas cooker a bathroom with a flushing toilet and a shower plenty of hot water central heating and a TV for the days you need to catch up with the real world Don t forget with narrowboat hire the boat is the holiday you don t need to allow for those expensive days out during the week Our quoted prices INCLUDE diesel and damage waiver and linen and car parking if you are comparing prices with other narrowboat holiday firms make sure you compare like for like Star ratings for each narrowboat are displayed on the relevant pages and online availability and reservation is now also a feature but feel free to phone or email if you would like to discuss your canal holiday plans Advertising feature Holiday of the Month www kiezebrink co uk July 2022 Dogs Today 61

Classified Adverts adverts Classified The Dog Lovers Registration Club Charities Products Art Charities Training Art Lintran K9Westie award winning dog UK ReHoming equipment transport systems Registered Charity England Wales 1108659 Scotland SC045329 Estate Cars Dog trailers pick up s vans All 4 x 4 vehicles Register your Pedigree puppies and adult dogs online for beautiful gold bonded pedigree paperwork with same day processing Westie ReHoming is a charity dedicated to the welfare and rehoming of the West Highland White Terrier We take in westies needing a new start in life and place them into a suitable home where they will be Dogloved Gunand System have their needs met T 01673 885959 enquiries lintran co uk www lintran co uk For more information visit www dogregclub co uk or call either 0161 792 2479 or 0161 729 2350 www westierehoming org information westierehoming net 0844 879 Lintran 4260 PO BoxHouse 4204 Swindon SN2 9LA SS Brentwood 30 YEARS Lincoln Road Faldingworth Westie ReHoming westierehoming4 Market Rasen Lincs LN8 3SF Heathway Colton Rugeley Staffs WS15 3LY Tel 01889 577058 www bordercollietrustgb org uk Products Services The Emotional Art of Dog Training not to be missed with the due to retire inspirational speaker John Rogerson Dogs for Good needs your help to double the number ofGood people with disabilities Dogs for needs your helpto to the double the number of people disabilities Welcome to Abbfabb Acadamy home exclusive range of thewith finest we can support with dogs We re an innovative charity exploring dogs we can support withIways dogs We refull an of innovative exploring ways can help quality grooming scissors n a world various charity sizes and models of dogs scissors can help people overcome specific challenges and enrich and improve lives people overcome specific challenges and enrich and improve lives and communities and accessories available coupled with large amounts of information we really and communities We are passionate about our We future and how we can help are that passionate about future and how we can help more people with the do understand it is hard toour know exactly which dog grooming scissors touse of more people with the use of our assistance dogs our assistance dogs invest in It is at this point I will tell you that you need not look any further Discover all of the ways we help Discover all of the ways we help We are extremely proud of the dog grooming scissors we offer to groomers and Assistance Dog our assistance dogs support adults and children with a rangedogs support adults and children with a range of Assistance Dog our assistance we whole heartedly in our you with the very best dog grooming scissors of believe disabilities and also children withmission autism to provide disabilities and also children with autism Also as a family owned business since we are very proud of the expertise we offer where quality and precision is Community Dog our community dogs1990 and their specialist handlers to Community Dog our help community dogs and their specialist handlers help to improve our passion Plus we are well onwellbeing the way to becoming a totally eco friendly company improve their independence and skills their independence wellbeing and skills thanks to our continued to reduce any negative impact may be on our environment Family Dog efforts our Family Dog team gives advice andwe support to having help families Family Dog our Family Dog team gives advice and support to help families with an with an autistic child to get the most out of theirautistic relationship their petout dog child towith get the most of their relationship with their pet dog See the full collection 01295 at www abbfabbgroomingscissors com www dogsforgood org 01295 252600 info dogsforgood org www dogsforgood org 252600 info dogsforgood org www dogsmonthly co uk 2022 62 6 2 Dogs Today July 2020 March 2020 81 Security Product of the Month Bite back against dog thieves with the HOWL app For a one off fee of only 1 79 with no subscriptions or in app purchases the HOWL app operates in three ways Prevention thieves hate being caught so the alarm and video recording when you HOWL for help works to improve the chances of capture HOWL takes back control from the dog thief in a non confrontational way Recovery you record all your dog s details in HOWL everything remains private until you decide otherwise so that if the worst happens you have all that information at hand when time is of the essence Prosecution capturing the date time precise location and video footage HOWL has evidence capture at its core to aid in linking the offender to the crime Find out more at howlforhelp com July 2022 Dogs Today July 2020 Dogs Today 663 3 Advertising feature Advertising feature Grooming Product MonthFor Charity the Monthof the Dogs GoodForGrooming Abbfabb Charity ofofthe Month Dogs Good Scissors

CharitySpotlight Spotlight Charity established 1958 We are a non destruction sanctuary for abandoned unwanted dogs PRIORY ROAD ASCOT BERKSHIRE SL5 8RJ 01344 882689 Charity of the month We rescue and rehome 100s of dogs and cats in London every year themayhew org 020 8962 8000 Registered Charity No 256728 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 Registered Charity No 1077588 Welcome Welcome to to Charity Charity Spotlight Spotlight a handy reference point for good folk le of folkdoing doinggreat great work work We re We rehelping helpingto toraise raise the the profi profile of this diverse diversegroup group of of people people and and we weencourage encourage you youto to get get involved involved with withthem them be beitit fundraising fundraising or or even even volunteering volunteering Help us to help more 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 AS SEEN ON EL BCT_0310 4x1 indd CHANN1 A charity registered in England and Wales 209617 and Scotland SC038979 4 1 10 16 55 42 4 Bringing pets and people closer together woodgreen org uk www foreverhoundstrust org Registered Charity No 298348 00526nc0819 Legacy Gift Charity of the month Improve the lives of Type 1 Diabetic children by leaving a gift in your Will Help us train dogs to give children back their lives Chilterns Dog Recue hypohounds org uk Smokey Paws provides pet oxygen masks to the fire service Founded in 1963 Chilterns Dog Rescue Society CDRS has a long history of rescue and rehoming and continues to grow thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of many dog lovers DogsToday TodayJuly July2022 2020 64 64Dogs bmdrdogs www barkingmaddogrescue co uk Registered Charity No 1077588 to find out more barkingmaddogrescue We rescue and rehome 100s of dogs and cats in London every year Please help us to help more www themayhew org 020 8962 8000 But many more masks are needed A fter many years of hard work CDRS is an independent charity It CDRS bought its own premises receives no Government funding and in Chivery near Tring Herts and relies entirely on the generosity of the developed purpose built facilities for public to continue its vital rescue and dogs with nowhere else to turn rehoming work Your support would The Rescue Centre has 40 kennels be greatly appreciated and a small team of highly trained staff who provide outstanding For further information please care for dogs of all ages types and contact CDRS backgrounds in need of protection Tel 01296 623885 training and rehoming in addition to enquiries cdrs org uk a 5 star licence for boarding www chilternsdogrescue org uk Large kennels have under floor heating plenty of natural light with indoor and outdoor areas Green technology has been incorporated to reduce running costs Sensitive landscaping has created a woodland walk for potential adopters to get to know the dogs wildlife areas and If you d like to see your organisation featured in these two DogZones to provide grassy If you d like to see your charitable organisation pages please call us on 01276 enrichment paddocks for the dogs to featured inrelax these pages please call us on 402591 858880 for 01276 more details play socialise and WE RESCUE KILL SHELTER AND ABANDONED DOGS FROM ROMANIA AND REHOME THEM IN THE UK AND GERMANY The next pet saved could be yours You can donate via www smokeypaws co uk or email info smokeypaws co uk rescue and rehome Saving We collies and collie crosses throughout the UK Why not Yorkshire s subscribe to our Border World quarterly Dogs Collie magazine Only 10 00 pa Registered Charity No 1167291 To rescue COLLIE rehabilitateTRUST and rehome BORDER GB vulnerable atour risk dogsforfrom Yorkshire Please contact usand or visit website more information Heathway Colton Rugeley Tel WS15 07562 Staffs 3LY 986101 Tel 0871 560 2282 Email savingyorkshiresdogs gmail com www bordercollietrustgb org uk Web www sydrescue org uk Reg Charity No 1053585 Find uscentre on Rescue open daily 9 11 am 2 4 pm Become a Companion AS Keep Tails Wagging SEEN ON N1EL BCT_0310 4x1 indd H C ANWith a Regular Gift Registered Charity in England and Wales No 1139999 4 As a rescue charity Rushton helps abandoned Bringing pets abused and unwanted dogs on a international and people scale Rescuing dogs from all over the world especially the meat trade in Asia and China closer together 4 1 10 16 55 42 woodgreen org uk Your chance to win at www aht org uk lottery Call Now 44 0 1823 49 10 52 mail rushtondogrescue co uk Registered Charity Number 209642 Registered Charity No 298348 00526nc0819 Scottish Charity No SC006914 Senior Staffy Club Dogs Today 2018 Charity spotlight lottery23 01 2018 advert v3 indd 14 47 10 1 Our aims are Rescue and rehome sta ordshire bull terriers and sta y cross dogs aged 7yrs Recruit foster carers all over the UK Encourage volunteers at En our kennels in Sta ord and Worcester www seniorsta yclub co uk seniorsta yclub hotmail co uk Rescue and rehoming centre for dogs and cats www leicesteranimalaid org uk Tel 01455 888257 Registered Charity No 242560 Finding the cures for serious pet illnesses helping them live longer healthier lives barki www petsavers org uk Smokey Paws provides pet oxygen masks to the fire service But many more masks are needed www July2020 2022Dogs DogsToday Today665 July 5 We r of do

For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST Confessions of a dogaholic I started getting PPA phone calls at work This was before people had been sold PPI insurance The calls from the Periodical Publishers Association were almost as persistent They organised a glittering awards dinner every year the magazine Oscars It was free to enter so I d put Dogs Today up for Small Publisher of the Year I was only 5ft 2 after all But I hadn t bargained on the hard sell when it came to buying tickets for the do It was a no the first time they called and it was still a no when they offered me a discount 10 seats for only 1 000 In the same week as the awards I was surprised to get a call from our lovely new distributor Would we like to be their guests They had spare seats This was in stark contrast to how the old distributor had behaved the one who had tried to bankrupt us and had sworn at me I found something not too creased at the back of the wardrobe It was black so rarely worn as Sal s long fawn hairs did rather contrast HAIR OF THE DOG 66 Dogs Today July 2022 Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 UK Stops dogs pulling on the lead and gives you back control SMALLER THAN SMALL I was thrilled to hear Dogs Today being named in the shortlist but all the other small publishers were huge The PPA defined small as having fewer than 50 employees We had fewer than five at this point and that included the dogs They were round tables and I had my back to the stage The chap giving out the award started describing the winner and explaining why they d won I was just chuffed we d been shortlisted and was already thinking about getting home to Sal But then he said This girl saved her magazine and got rid of all her bosses turned her magazine around with grit and determination sticking up for good journalism and her best friend the dog We d won It didn t even cross my mind that I still had on my old comfy dog walking shoes on and my hair was a mess There were tears not just mine I think everyone in publishing dreams of getting rid of their bosses Brian was not in his seat when I got back to the table He d rushed over to my old distributor I heard him saying Not bad for a jumped up little woman who didn t know what she was doing eh mate Well at least he didn t punch him P 100 2020 WINNER REVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLAR cameramen and finding our table I spotted my nemesis the nasty sweary distributor He d not clocked me thankfully but he was only two tables away Brian said he d thump the chap on the nose by the end of the night but the awards were starting and the Small Publisher of the Year was the first category Life Changing products for you and your dog 9 TIMES WINNER OF Product I can t live without NO MORE PULLING NO MORE RIDING UP NO MORE RUBBING NO MORE COMING OFF NO MORE DISCOMFORT AWARgDCoEllDar Best Do r 2020 21 UK re tu c fa u n a M tive Dog Most Innova cturers Collar Manufa 2019 Illustration KEVIN BROCKBANK I aimed to blend into the background There hadn t been time or the money to get my hair done since we did the MBO A free posh dinner in London was too good to miss and boyfriend Brian even borrowed a DJ Mum offered to dog sit Sal who was still in the early stages of Dr John Carter s radical treatment for liver cancer He had insisted we feed her raw lamb s liver and organic carrot juice which sounds ghastly but she seemed to love it At the Dorchester there were massive TV screens everywhere showing what all the beautiful people were wearing While we were dodging the And the winner is Global Also available Collars Non Slip Leads and Gripper Training Leads offering added security and confidence throughout the winter months Endorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA Fellow of the Canine Feline Behaviour Association Call to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www dogmatic org uk Winners 2013 2022 Dogmatic UK Ltd is on Facebook Matching accessories in a selection of colours with high quality workmanship and ttings