“Almost anything big dogs can do toy breeds can do as well! From becoming service dogs to working as therapy dogs there are many small dogs doing very big jobs. Toy breeds excel at obedience and agility, scent work, tricks, and other sports. Don’t underestimate these pint-sized athletes— if given the opportunity, toy breeds can make great canine competitors in performance events.”

[American Kennel Club]

When you take on a puppy’s health and wellbeing, its nutrition is a huge part of your responsibility. Nutrition covers everything that contributes to your puppy’s growth and development, specifically her bones, teeth, healthy vision, coat, organs, joints, and muscles.

January is typically when we look ahead and decide what we can do better. We might think of home improvements, sleeping habits, our weight, the level of exercise we need and how we eat. But why not reassess your pet’s needs and do a 5-point check to see how you can make life as good as possible for them too?

It’s not just us humans who look to the new year to begin a healthier regime! Sadly many of our dogs are not in perfect condition either and a new year presents the perfect time to assess the situation and do something about it.

As we head into 2022 there is still some uncertainty surrounding the viability of public events in light of the ongoing Covid-19 situation so we’re setting this diary of events out with one eye on the news! For now, we’re going to outline the various dog focused events that we’ve come across for the new year ahead with optimism and our fingers crossed.

Whilst it’s true that the Christmas period might mean your dog has more attention than usual, it can also be a bewildering time for him with several important factors to consider before you even think about pulling the first cracker!

“…animal welfare organisations have been warning that pets who have never known anything other than their humans being around all the time could struggle to adjust when owners return to the workplace post-lockdown.” [The Guardian, July 2021]

There’s no feeling quite like the excitement of getting your first puppy. To make sure they have the very best start with you, you’ll need to prepare for their arrival, covering off a few essentials: play, food, sleep, house training, medical care, exercising and socialising.

More than 2000 pets were reported stolen last year (source: BBC) and 70% of those thefts were dogs. This compares quite starkly to just 172 reported in 2019. The rise in pet theft is thought to be directly related to the increase in the cost of dogs, making them an even more valuable commodity. This situation has spiralled since the pandemic - with UK pet purchases increasing significantly and the inevitable laws of supply and demand pushing the prices higher.

In this instalment of our blog, we are going to be discussing the very exciting prospect of your first dog! The shelves are lined with lots of helpful books and there are some excellent websites providing advice on various aspects of dog ownership but...

In this blog, we will explore the often uncomfortable and increasingly worryingly subject of pet obesity. For your and your pet’s benefit this article covers:

The ‘size’ of the issue, How to tell if your pet is in good shape, How to get back on track to a healthy weight, Suggested and related products and Useful tools

Winter is a lovely time of year for most pets, lots of warm cuddles, scenic walks, and a few extra seasonal treats, but winter can bring its own unique challenges to our furry companions.