Keep cool this Summer! (Tips)

So, we mentioned in our last post that the weather here is starting to heat up, which means our girls need some ways to cool down! As promised, here's a list of the things we do, to keep our girls feeling fresh!

Food;
Keep their food light and where possible give them chilled/frozen foods, i.e 'pupsicles'.
You can make a pupsicle out of almost anything, mashed banana, a drop of honey and plain yoghurt for something sweet, or chicken pieces, salt free stock and carrot for savoury.
Turn your summer treat into a boredom buster by freezing foods within a toy, i.e a Kong :)

Doggy safe freezable foods include; Peanut butter, low fat yoghurt, low salt stocks, cream cheese, canned dog food, soaked kibble, chicken/meat pieces, various veggies, i.e carrots, sweet potato, peas etc and other commercial products, such as the Kong pastes or Fish4Dogs salmon mousse.

Always test your pooch with a tiny amount of peanut butter and/or honey before making the full treat, some dogs can have very mild allergies to these, however it is extremely unlikely, all 4 of ours are fine with them :)

Water;
Now more than ever your dog will need access to clean, cool water, but on those days where the tongues come out and panting is heavy, a couple of ice cubes in their water dish will do the trick. Make sure you rinse them first though, we don't want any tongues getting stuck!

Rest;
On hot days your dog(s) will probably rest a fair bit, so make sure they have plenty of 'cool spots'.
Make sure they always have access to shady areas, if necessary provide them a small child's tent to rest in.
If your dog is a sunbather, like Rafferty, dampen an old towel for them to lie on, make sure to keep the towel damp throughout the day, a spray bottle is ideal for this.

Fun;
Nothing beats playing with your dog on a sunny day, so feel free to incorporate some 'keep cool methods' into your fun! Sprinklers and shallow paddling pools make for great (supervised) fun!
There's a host of water friendly toys out there, from brand name retriever toys to the good old tennis ball :)
(Never pour ice water on your dog, or squirt them in the face, they'd like it about as much as you would!)

Other;
Hairless breeds and some white haired dogs may need a little sun cream on the tips of their ears etc.
Easy to overlook, but sunburn can be as bad for your pooch as it is for you :(
When the fun is over and it's time to relax, a small electric fan is great.
Just make sure your dog is dry and that the fan is kept of reach of inquisitive noses and paws!

Hope these tips we've picked up along the way help you have some fun in the sun, whilst staying cool!

Love & licks,
Rio, Jonny, Buffy, Rafferty, Monroe & Lily.
xo

P.S Don't forget; Never ever leave your dog in the car. Thieves aside, your pup would be at very high risk of sunstroke at this time of year. Sunstroke can be extremely dangerous and have serious consequences. If you suspect your dog has sunstroke, please call/visit your vet immediately.
Summer also brings more insects, including bees and wasps, which can give your dog a severe allergic reaction if they sting your poor pup. Again, please contact your vet asap if you think your pup has been stung/bitten.
Now is a great time to give your pup their summer wormer and flea prevention treatment!
And last but not least, remember to watch for poisonous plants in the garden/home and have a safe Summer!

Crufts Controversy

It's that time of year again, it's Crufts! 

But this year, more than ever it feels, there is an underlying murmur of changes to come and clashing opinions in the air...

What should be a great opportunity for dog lovers, breeders, showers, experts and general enthusiasts to gather and share their love of all things canine, has become a massive bone of discontentment amongst those in the know...

But who is really at fault here?

Most people with any interest in dogs (breeds aside), will know that due to extreme selective breeding, often employed by less scrupulous breeders trying to produce the 'perfect' breed example, there have been many physical (and behavioural) issues, that could have been so easily avoided or at least minimised, if the temprement and health of the resulting litters, had been the key focus.

However, a lot of blame has been put on the KC and Crufts organisers/showers alike for having strict 'Breed Standards', but few can or would deny a lot of the issue can be traced back to both ill educated/back yard breeders trying to meet these standards in an often cruel, uncaring and unhealthy way and of course, the general public, a case of supply and demand.
The blame that lies with the general public is mostly due to a lack of education and down to ignorance about the magnitude of the issue.
The problem is less about the standard, more about how the standard is met.

Now however the RSPCA has really taken a stand and is trying to make the issue clear and known to all, by it's very public refusal to attend this years Crufts.

Although some may say it's coming across as a little too harsh, needs must and hopefully it, coupled with efforts from other charities and the KC themselves, will draw enough attention to get this issue on it's way to being resolved, which is long overdue, despite previous attempts to rectify it.
(Last year was also particularly notable, several shows surrounded the airing of Crufts highlighting the issue. It was touched upon in a memorable show called 'Good dog, Bad dog'.)

For the RSPCA's statement regarding what and why, click here!

(Especially shocking for me was in the above statement, a study showed that only 26% of dog owners researched illnesses that affect their chosen breed, before purchasing a pup. I'm very proud to be firmly in the 26% who did do their research and I'm proud to constantly continue improving my knowledge of my breed!)

To learn more about what the Kennel Club are doing towards 'Breeding for the future', go here!

For fact sheets released by 'Get Puppy Smart' (RSPCA), regarding Exaggerated Features click here and Inherited Diseases click here.

To learn more about Inherited Diseases, please visit the following sites and learn more about the health of your breed;
Canine Inherited Disorders Database/CIDD // Hip Dysplasia Scores - breed list // Inherited Diseases in Dogs/IDID

I hope the information I've provided is helpful, many thanks to the KC, RSPCA and Get Puppy Smart for the links and figures.

Here's to a better future for our canine companions and also to enjoying Crufts, with happy, healthy, beautiful winners!

Crufts is being aired 7pm - 9pm Thursday - Sunday on More4.
There are live shows available at http://www.dfscrufts.tv/
Live commentaries and discussions on Crufts FM (87.7FM)