Dog gone you Walt Disney !

Paul | blog | December 20, 2011

On a recent blog, we mentioned how certain media attention, in that case a TV advert could increase a certain breed of dogs popularity with the public.

Disney Films probably have had as big an impact on a breeds popularity with the public than any other media item, and the clip from the following film Eight Below, probably sent shivers down the spine of any self respecting breeder / owner of Siberian Huskies.

They knew that it would drive the person that has no understanding into what this breed of dog requires by way of it’s requirements regarding exercise, training, grooming, feeding and housing, into wanting to become a husky owner.

It’s a long piece, 13 minutes, and apart from the beautiful scenery and sound track, it goes to show how strong the bond between a human and his dog can become, and the never ending will of a dog to please it’s human owner. However, please remember that it is a 2 way street, and that the tears of joy that can be produced when bringing a fluffy new puppy into your household, can quickly turn to tears of sadness, if you haven’t researched the breed completely before embarking on the path to becoming this dogs owner.

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Dog walking versus gym membership

Paul | blog | November 29, 2011

We have blogged here before about dog owners being healthy, and to back this up, on the Telegraphs web site today it states that most dog owners are getting more exercise than somebody with a gym membership.

The experts that wrote this piece also state that the major difference in walking your dog versus going to the gym is that the later can feel like a chore whilst the majority of dog walks can be seen as enjoyable.

Another notable difference is that it’s easy to find an excuse not to go to the gym, but when you have a big pair of brown eyes staring up at you with the tail wagging, and the leash in mouth, it’s hard to say no.

And in case you needed more convincing, when out with your dog, you are enjoying the fresh air, and also maybe taking in some breath taking scenery, instead of being cooped up in an air conditioned environment, next to a sweaty old man who is wearing ill fitting shorts !

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Are Dog Breeders in Ireland getting a Raw Deal ?

Paul | blog | November 11, 2011

The debate that is ,whether to advertise your dog or pups on one of the well known online general classifieds raised it’s ugly head again recently.

The two sides to the debate are “not over my dead body ” versus “you have to post on these sites to let the public know that there are responsible breeders out there”

I think regular visitors to pedigreedogs.ie know where I stand on the issue.

There are other ways of letting the public know that there are responsible breeders out there.

Attending Pet Expo which was held last month in the RDS with your breed or club is one way. The organisers of the 2 day event have advised that this was the highlight of the Expo for many of the visitors.

Breed clubs setting up their own web sites is another. We have Blogged about this issue before, and it is quite easy to rank well with Google etc, for specific search terms like “shar pei club of ireland” etc

This as well as individual kennels having their own sites is another fantastic way of attracting Joe Public to kennels that promote responsible dog ownership, and rear healthy well socialised pups.

With that in mind, I am going to showcase an individual kennel each month from the list of show kennels that can be found under this title to the right hand side of this blog.

All that will be required is a little speel about your kennel, breeds owned and maybe how you got into them etc, and maybe some advice to people who are interested in getting into these breeds, health checks etc

The article can be as long or a short as you like, and will carry a direct link back to your website.

Novembers Kennel is already working on the piece, and will be appearing on our blog and Facebook / Twitter pages soon.

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Dog ownership – The highs and lows

Paul | blog | November 1, 2011

Yesterday was a great day, that was until I got a text off a friend to say that Tilly her 18 year old Jack Russell Terrier had crossed the rainbow bridge

I blogged about Tilly in March and to me she summed up what the human canine relationship is all about

As I said the day was going great up to that point, as we were at the All Ireland Bull Breeds Association championship show held at the Irish Kennel Club’s show centre in Cloughran, Dublin

Daisy, pictured to the right of her litter brother Danno here was awarded her seventh and crowning green star, and now can go by the title Irish Champion Dessaur Driving Miss Daisy subject to IKC confirmation.

This is our second ever Irish Champion, Daisy’s father Dopplegenger Joe Daly being our first.

Thank you to everybody yesterday for the warm wishes, and I look forward to seeing you all next year, as we try and make up Danno

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Where do all the Lurchers come from ?

Paul | blog | October 28, 2011

Having had lurchers whilst growing up, it is very depressing to see the amount that are continuously flowing into the dog pounds and rescues in Ireland.

The history of this cross breed of dog is a bit patchy, but due to governments in Ireland & the UK banning commoners from owning sight-hounds, like Irish Wolfhounds, Deerhounds, and greyhounds, these breeds were crossed with collies & certain terriers depending on their use, and this got around this ban.

They were traditionally kept by the travelling families of Ireland, as a pot filler, and although few families rely on dogs today to hunt as a provider to the table, they are still kept and hunted by the families that travel our country.

Over the last 20 odd years or so, they have also become very popular with the male teenage set, and used for rough hunting both at day and night. They can be seen as a status symbol based on results in the field, much like the gangs across the UK that keep dogs for fighting and as another form of weapon.

Very few lurchers would be licensed, and it’s my opinion that the dog wardens of this country tend not to target the owners mentioned above.

If you google “Lurcher” the first result that came back to me was from Wikipedia, and upon reading down through the text the following line can be found “Unfortunately, some breeders kill or turn loose lurchers that are not successful hunters or have physical or behavioural problems”

What’s the solution to this problem ? Would mandatory microchipping of all dogs be a start ? All dogs registered with the IKC have to be microchipped, and even if the new owner doesn’t transfer the chip details, if a dog does end up in a pound, at least the breeder can be located, and maybe the person tracked down if the dog escaped on them, or in fact they dumped it !

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Dogs on the menu

Paul | blog | October 24, 2011

I was watching Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall on Channel 4 last night in River Cottage Veg Everyday, where there was not 1 single recipe with either meat or fish contained.

This is a total turn around as we are most used to his old style of rearing livestock from birth to dinner plate.

So what has this got to do with dogs you might ask.

During the show his gardener and himself spoke to a horticultural society about their up coming fair, and maybe holding some classes for the most tasty vegetable.

Prior to this, all of these shows held what might be considered as confirmation classes for the vegetables, as they would be judged on size and appearance.

They thought that as the main aim of growing vegetables was to eat them, surely the most important fact re the same, would be how good they tasted, more so than how they looked.

Let’s look at this from a dog showing perspective.

At present we award the class win, best of breed and best in show to the dog that most fits it’s individual breed standard. This like the vegetable show is based on size and appearance etc.

Again if the main purpose of the specific vegetable is to be eaten, and obviously the tastier the better, then is not the original role of the dog more important than how they look today ?

Of course this all has to do with how people perceive breed standards, and we have Blogged here at Pedigree dogs about same, but surely fit for original function, should prevail in the show ring, and to some extent like the carrot, as long as it is orange, with a green top, the “tastiest” one should win !

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Dogs for sale in Ireland

Paul | blog | June 5, 2011

We are the only dedicated site in Ireland that deals with Pedigree Dogs, registered with the Irish Kennel Club and Kennel Club (London)

Unlike any other dog related website, we review every single ad before it is published, ensuring that only ad’s that meet our criteria will go live, so that your ad will only share space with like minded breeders.

The emphasis throughout is on attracting reputable breeders and owners and there are a number of stipulations that have to be met – puppies or adult dogs being sold must be registered with the Irish Kennel Club or the Kennel Club London, ads must be accompanied by a photo that promotes responsible dog ownership, showing dogs of good health, and kept in suitable conditions, no exaggerated claims can be used in the text.

Only people living on the Island of Ireland can use the site to advertise on.

We are a site that only advertises registered puppies

You will not see adds with puppies or adult dogs living in appalling conditions.

You will not see any PBNR or F1 Hybrids on our site, and through the blog we publish articles on why buying a registered pedigree dog is the best choice if looking for a dog to join a household

This is a web site for dogs that is run by people involved in the world of dogs in Ireland, check out our Facebook page, pedigreedogs

Our main advertisers are companies that only link to respected sites, where they know that their brand will be protected

Since we launched in January 2010, we have been featured in the Sunday Business Post, & Sunday Times.

So if you are looking to Sell a dog in Ireland, that is registered with the Irish Kennel Club or Kennel Club (London) you have come to the right site.

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Dog en suite with toilet

Paul | blog | May 31, 2011

When you spend as much time around Dogs as we do here at Pedigree Dogs, you are always are on the look out for the latest dog related item or gadget that can make your four legged friends life more comfortable or rewarding, and therefore making your life together a more enjoyable experience

This can be anything from the latest training aid, a new lead or halti that is more suited to your breed giving you better control, or some of the following.

I came across The Grooming Kennel at last Sundays Dog Expo organised by Madra, in the Black Box in Galway.

Not being a big TV fan I wasn’t aware that John the inventor had showcased his product on the Dragons Den in the latest series that ran on RTE

Details of the Kennel can be found on the following site

www.thegroomingkennel.com

These other 2 products, I just came across whilst surfing the net looking for options in relation to disposing of our dogs poops.

Luckily my chosen breed (Standard Smooth Dachshunds) don’t leave behind an awful lot of waste, this is down to their size and the quality food we feed them, but if your dog leaves a pile behind that you could take shelter from a shower behind, then maybe it might be worthwhile investing in one of these.

With the lack of facilities on offer for the dog owner provided (Or in most cases,not) by county councils, in Ireland, the majority of us end up walking our dogs and carrying a bag of dog poo that swings like a pendulum, and disposing of the same in our domestic waste bins etc.

www.dogpoowormery.co.uk

www.wormery.ie

Now I haven’t yet tried any of the above so am not in any way endorsing them, but thought they were worthwhile bringing to the attention of the hoards of people that visit Pedigreedogs.ie each day.

If anybody has any experience of the same, we would be delighted to hear from you

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Your Dog and Saying Goodbye..

Paul | blog | May 8, 2010

Pets do not live as long as humans. Thinking about euthanasia – literally, a “gentle and easy death” – is something that no pet owner likes to dwell on, but sadly it is a decision that many dog owners eventually have to face. Taking responsibility for a pain-free, peaceful death is the kindest act an owner can do for a much-loved pet.Is it pain or is it old age?
Always discuss this with your vet. Do not be afraid to visit the vet sooner rather than later. Many of the signs of old age, such as arthritis, can be relieved. Your dog’s problems may be treatable – and early treatment reduces suffering.

Dogs do not necessarily show pain by crying or howling. Assessment of long-term pain can be difficult even for vets, as animals (and people) tend to adapt their behaviour to cope. Sometimes the only way is to try using painkillers (only use those prescribed by a vet) to see if your pet brightens up.

Your dog could be in pain if there has been a change in behaviour, a loss of appetite or a reluctance to play or move around. It may also be a sign of pain if your dog is restless or cannot seem to get comfortable, or is sitting or lying in an abnormal position, or if your dog seems tense or withdrawn, or has lost enthusiasm for life. Always discuss your dog’s symptoms with your vet. All of these signs can be caused by problems other than pain.

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THE IRISH KENNEL CLUB – MISSION STATEMENT

Seamus | blog | April 23, 2010

The following was posted on the Irish Kennel Club – IKC – web site recently

The Irish Kennel Club – IKC – are the governing body and regulators for Pedigree Dogs in Ireland

“To regulate and promote every aspect of Pedigree Dogs through efficient cost effective electronic registrations and validations. To promote the health and welfare of all dogs and to develop public relations, information and educative services by organising events that will achieve these aims.”

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Professor Bateson said it…What’s your view…

Joe | blog | March 15, 2010

Professor Bateson says: ‘I think there is a role for dog shows because I think that people like to go to them. They can socialise, they can meet other people with the same kind of dog as they have themselves. And the show itself can be a powerful lever for improving the quality of the dog’s life, providing the judges do their job.’