Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Dog Jumps 15 Feet Wall Get A Seagull

My shih tzu loves to chase birds and squirrels, it’s one of her favourite pastimes.  However, one Staffordshire bull terrier-rottweiler cross from Edinburgh took it to the extreme.

Near the Firth of Forth, he chased a seagull and managed to jump a 15 foot high wall in Lower Granton Road.  However, he wasn’t prepared for the 15 ft drop at the other side and ended up stranded.

The dogs owner had to call the Lothian and Borders fire service to retrieve the dog.

A spokesman for the fire department said:

The dog jumped up at the bird and went straight over the wall and down about 15ft.  His owner couldn’t reach him so called us. Our crews found a break in the wall, made their way down and led the dog back, where he was reunited with his owner.  The animal had a small cut to his mouth and was in shock but was otherwise uninjured.

I guess if your dog is chasing birds, then you need to keep an eye on them.  Although I doubt my little shih tzu could manage that!

Dog Mess – Clean It Up

I read an article yesterday about Fylde Borough Council, who are getting tough on dog owners who do not clean up after their dogs.  Apparently, the area of Lytham Green and the local beach are most affected and after research, the dog wardens have said it appears to be mainly at night or early morning when it is dark.

The council have asked that all dog owners keep their dogs on a lead when it is dark to avoid missing the mess and not being able to clean it up.  They have even given out a telephone number for people to report dog owners who do not clean up so that their two dog wardens can get on the case.

According to the Dogs Act (Fouling the Land), on the spot fines are £50 and failing to pay can lead to prosecution and another fine of up to £1,000.  It’s fair enough I guess, especially in areas like beaches, children play and dog mess can spread disease.  So clean it up people!

Dog Day Camps

Are doggie day care centres a good idea?  Many people tell me I treat my shih tzu like my child, and it’s probably true.  Dogs are a responsibility just like children.  However, I think I’d draw the line at shelling out hundreds of pounds per month for her to go to a day camp, which is exactly what many people in America are doing.

The dogs get to go swimming, walking, have supervised play with toys, naps and nutritious treats.  As many as 40 or 50 dogs are taken in each day camp and there is now a franchise for the Bow Wow camps.  Prices are around $25 per day, but you can get it cheaper if you buy in a package.  They can stay overnight for $40 per night.  I do see one advantage in that because at least your dog will be familiar with the surroundings when you leave them, which will minimise their stress when you go on holiday and that’s much better than using dog boarding kennels.

I wonder how long it will be before it catches on here.

Is ITV Joining the Pedigree Dogs Debate?

I watched a programme on Sunday evening on ITV1 with Martin Clunes, where he investigated the history of dogs and where they came from.

Although it was a nicey-nicey programme, I can’t help but feel that the second part, to be aired next Sunday will be along the same lines as the BBC Kennel Club programme, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, which I wrote about last week. I think this could be the start of a real tarnishing campaign against the Kennel Club and one which they will need to respond to quickly if it is not to cause chaos.

If you missed it, read the breakdown of the first part of Martin Clunes: A Man and his Dogs wand be sure to watch the next episode this Sunday.

BBC Kennel Club Programme

It certainly seems that the BBC documentary last night on the Kennel Club and the state of our pedigree dogs kicked off a bit of a debate across the UK.  This is just my little opinion on it – to see an honest, independent discussion of the programme, see Pedigree Dogs Exposed: The Aftermath.

There were a couple of extra comments on my earlier article about whether to buy KC or DLRC puppies this morning and everybody seems quite passionate about it, so here’s my personal viewpoint on the matter.

I believe that the Kennel Club does encourage a certain amount of ‘in-breeding’ by specifying certain physical attributes on its ‘breed standards’. These breed standards supposedly state what is considered a good point in a breed. For some breeds, they aren’t so bad, but in dogs such as pugs, as I’ve mentioned in my Pug dog breed profile, one desired trait is the tail curling over the back. A double curl is particularly good. As the BBC pointed out last night through x-rays of pugs, constant inbreeding has achieved this in some dogs but also means the spine is curved, causing health problems. In addition, breeding to achieve such as flat face causes them breathing difficulties. None of this is good and I don’t think anyone could argue otherwise. Read the rest of this entry »

Are dogs the new fashion accessory?

According to Sainsburys, insurance for chihuahas has increased by 417 per cent in the last two years because of celebs who treat their dogs like fashion accessories, and it seems to be catching on.

Paris Hilton and Britney Spears are the main culprits.  Sainsburys warns against buying a dog for these reasons.  Pets shouldn’t fashion accessories, what happens when you get bored with your dog and he goes out of fashion?!?

Personally I think its disgusting.  There’s a lady near me who now has more than twenty breeding chihuahas, so what will she do with them when the dogs go out of fashion?

Is Greyhound Racing Dying?

Walthamstow’s greyhound track has closed for the final time, having been sold to make way for affordable housing.

It is rumoured that Ellesmere Port Greyhound Stadium is going the same way.

In the 1940’s England had around 80 dog tracks, and 33 were in London.  This year, it has only 30 and 3 in London: Walthamstow and Wimbledon.  Now London has only one and England may be about to lose another.

Personally, I think a trip to the dog tracks is a great day or evening out.  There’s very little advertising for it and many people I know have never been.  That’s a shame, it’s part of our British heritage.  Will there be none left before long?

Top TV Dogs

Following last night’s Eastenders episode, I think it’s now safe to talk about it.  I was gutted last week to have the Eastenders storyline RUINED for me by MyTwoPence, a blog that talks about anything that is current news.  It says ‘current news’ but it told me that Wellard was going to die a week in advance.

Yes, I’m afraid that Wellard’s illness doesn’t end well.

After 14 years in the soap, Wellard has prompted a wave of emotion all over the UK for Eastenders fans and MSN has today posted the Top TV Dogs in honour of Wellard.  Something tells me it may be a little biased though, because whoever did the list is obviously a huge Eastenders fan as there seem to be a lot of Eastender dogs in it.  I mean, what did Terence the Llasa ever do in Eastenders to make the Top TV Dogs list?  Ahem.

Does Your Dog Have The X-Factor?

This weekend sees the X-Factor style Dog Talent Show taking place in Hartlepool. If you think your dog has an X-Factor talent, then it’s not too late to enter!

The show was the brainchild of dog trainer, David Shaw, and will see dogs compete for the waggiest tail, dog-owner lookalikes and other such fun categories. David ran a similar show in Scotland, which proved very popular.

He said:

“I did this many years ago in Scotland, just for people and their dogs to have a fun day. It is very family and fun-orientated. It is open to absolutely every type of dog – mongrels, pedigrees and cross-breeds. It will be an X-Factor-style event or like Hartlepool’s Got Talent.”

In traditional X-Factor style, there will be three judges.  For more details and to see other fun categories, check out Britain’s Got Talented Dogs

Alternative Dog Products

I’m still amazed by the range of products out there for dogs, not least of which is the beer for dogs, which seems to be one of the most popular of the ‘alternative dog products’ out there.

On Radio 1 the other week, Scott Mills and his team were trying out a blind taste test Read the rest of this entry »