Latest Articles & News
Italian Spinoni Go from Strength to Strength
Back in January 2015, we published an article about ace Italian Spinone breeder and judge Nina Fleming’s latest litter. You can find the original article here. Well, Nina’s dogs have come up trumps yet again and she very kindly attributes some of her success, and the health of the mother and pups, to the role of…
Common Canine Eye Conditions
Regular readers of our breed profiles may have noticed that eye problems crop up regularly in the ‘Potential Health Problems’ section. We thought it was worth elaborating on some of the most common canine eye conditions and which breeds they affect most. We all know that monitoring your dog’s health is important. Furthermore, understanding ‘normal’ will…
Breed Profile – Afghan Hound
This breed profile focuses on perhaps the most elegant of dog breeds, the Afghan Hound. Aloof and regal, yet with a lively comical side that endears them to all who meet them. Watching the Afghan class at a championship event is the canine equivalent of the Oscars red carpet, so let’s find out more about…
Motivation to Exercise
Motivation to exercise our dogs can come in many forms. We got chatting to the members of Teesdale Flyball Club to find out what keeps them coming back for more flyball exercise. I think we’re all agreed exercise is good for us and our dogs. In fact, it is vital for our canine companions to…
Breed Profile – Rottweiler
This German working breed has an unfair reputation for aggression thanks to its deep protective instinct. In this breed profile, we find out more about the Rottweiler. History of Breed: Originating in Rottweil, south west Germany, the Rottweiler was a mixture of mastiff-type breeds and sheep dog breeds. It needed to have the skills…
A Brief History of Gundogs
Once upon a time (as all good stories start), Man discovered that dogs could be trained to locate and chase prey, making them the ideal hunting companion (the seaweed doesn’t count, but Oscar was a puppy at the time!). It was the start of a beautiful relationship. It is from these dogs that terriers, hounds, gundogs…
Breed Profile – Otterhound
This breed profile explores the water-loving Otterhound. Friendly, intelligent dogs, they are good fun to be around, but definitely come with their own particular challenges. History of Breed: The Otterhound is a vulnerable native UK breed, with only 22 puppies born in 2014. As the name suggests, the breed were originally bred to hunt otters, which is…
Breed Profile – Newfoundland
It’s Winter and it seemed like the perfect time to take a look at the Newfoundland dog breed, or Newfie to its friends. The majesty and bulk of the Newfoundland belies its playful and fun nature. Our latest breed profile focuses on this working dog with an interesting history. History of Breed: The origins of the…
Breed Profile – St Bernard
Originating in the Swiss Alps, the St Bernard is now popular worldwide. This ‘gentle giant’ has a lovely nature but could eat you out of house and home! History of Breed: The St Bernard was originally a crossbreed of mastiff-type dogs, in particular the Alpine Mastiff. The Alpine Mastiff is also the ancestor of the…
Winter Exercise With Teesdale Flyball Club
Exercising in winter can be tricky. Daylight hours are shorter, conditions are cold, often wet and sometimes icy. We humans tend to take our exercise indoors to gyms and indoor sports clubs. We’ve previously written about exercising your dog in winter, covering activities such as agility and heelwork to music. This time we’re focusing on the…
Breed Profile – Korthals Griffon
For our latest breed profile, we’re taking a look at an HPR (hunt, point, retrieve) gundog that is popular on the continent. The Korthals Griffon (also known as the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon) has an appealing rugged appearance with a keen, intelligent expression. Find out more in our shaggy dog story. History of Breed: The Korthals Griffon…
Bark! The Hairy Angels Sing: Christmas Safety Tips
We all know Christmas can be a time of ups and downs. Huge amounts of preparation leading up to a few days of festive fun, hopefully. In amongst all the stress, excitement and joy, it’s easy to overlook our canine companions. Here’s our Christmas safety tips to make sure your dogs have a happy Christmas…
