QR Dog Tags – The appliance of science

Paul | blog | January 10, 2012

One of the tabs on the homepage of pedigreedogs.ie is the information regarding Microchipping

This was suggested to me by Veterinary Ireland, due to the amount of dogs that turn up at veterinary practices around Ireland, with no sign of a chip, or if there is, the owners details are incorrect (New ownership details not updated)

Now the majority of my internet browsing has to do with funnily enough, dogs, and whilst trawling through some dog related web sites last night (before I went to see The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – Great film by the way) I came across Petqrtag

This company produces QR codes that are imbedded on a tag to be worn on your dogs collar – a QR code is basically a two-dimensional barcode, and in this particular usage, allows you to input as much information in relation to your dog / pet as you wish. If then your dog / pet goes missing and is found wearing one of these pet id tags with the QR code on it, somebody with a smart phone / iPhone with a QR scanner app can scan the tag and find out instantly who owns the dog with full contact details and whether s/he is on medication etc, as per the following

Great idea in my opinion and just another example of the technologically advanced world we are living in being adapted for our dogs and other pets.

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Courtroom Justice ? Not for this dog “Owner”

Paul | blog | January 9, 2012

The world seems to be full of injustice - Starving millions in third world regions, bank bail outs / property taxes or cases of animal abuse going relatively unpunished.

Obviously some rank higher than others on the injustice scale, but at the end of the day, it’s always the innocent victim that ends up paying most.

One case came to my attention last week, whereby a former British Army Paratrooper kept a Neapolitan Mastiff confined in a cage that was six inches shorter than the actual dog. The dog somehow managed to free itself on the 23rd of December last year and savagely attacked the first human it came in contact with, who died as a result of the injuries sustained.

When the police arrived at the scene, they confiscated a banned pittbull terrier, shot the Neapolitan Mastiff, and when the case went to court last week, the “owner” of the dog was given a community sentence of 150 hours of unpaid work, plus charges of Stg 3340 !

Defending the accused, the court was told that the dog was bought as a family pet, and was the same style of dog that you would see in the film Harry Potter. The prosecutor said the death of the person was a direct result of the dogs incarceration in the cage, but the defence said it might have been a contributing factor, but no one knows what set the dog off.

Now last week we featured Slighedhala Neapolitan Mastiffs as the featured kennel for the month of January on Pedigree dogs.ie, and in the fantastic piece written by Paraic & Agbons Sheridan, they mention “We strongly recommend Neapolitans as a breed but they are not for everyone. They need a firm hand and experience with dogs is recommended. As with any dog they require training and socialisation.”

The above is a clear case of the person not being suitable for this breed as this excuse for a dog owner kept this magnificent giant breed confined in a cage that was six inches shorter than the actual dog, but who suffered in the end ? An innocent person lost their life due to actions resulting from the mistreatment of this dog, and the dog itself that was shot dead after the incident.

Surely the court should have sent out a far stronger message to people that think it’s OK to mistreat dogs and other animals, by not caring for their needs as a breed etc, especially when it escalates to the point that human life is endangered / lost.

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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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Kennel Club & Pedigree Dogs Exposed

Paul | blog | December 7, 2011

Do you think the Kennel Club in the UK made the right decision re the following

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Pedigree Dogs – Featured Kennel – Ritetype Akitas

Paul | blog | December 2, 2011

'IR CH Melodor Kaygeebe Jnr Ch 2010'

As per our recent Blog once a month Pedigree Dogs will feature a Show Dog Kennel. The point in doing so is to get the message out there that there are kennels and breeders of pedigree dogs in Ireland that do things the right way

We at Pedigree Dogs would like to thank Bryan & Hazel Aherne of Ritetype Akitas for the following piece, which show cases their kennel and highlights their commitment to their breed.

Breed: American Akita
Origin:                   Japan
Development          USA
Utilisation:             Companion Dog
FCI Classification: Group 5 Spitz & primitive types.

We are Bryan & Hazel Aherne of Ritetype Akitas. Our kennel is dedicated solely to exhibiting the American Akita and we have a long-standing love of the breed. The breed first chose us in 1995 with the arrival of our first pet Akita, Kane. We fell in love with this loyal, dignified and unique breed. In 2006, knowing Kane was nearing his final months; we began our search for another male Akita. We wanted an Akita with characteristics that were true to the breed standard. During our search we were drawn to various show kennels and it became apparent that the quality we desired was not available from pet breeders. We made the decision to purchase from a show kennel with the view to showing our puppy. Although we had never exhibited before we felt if showing wasn’t for us, we would then still have a quality family pet. However we were instantly bitten by the ‘show-bug’ and haven’t stopped since.
Nearly six years on and our show team now consist of four dogs all active in the show ring. We show two males and two females and value quality over quantity. We are very proud of our dogs and to date have had a very successful time in the show ring, with this current year being our most fruitful. Dog showing has given us the unique opportunity to connect with people and build friendships across the globe. When we embarked onto the show scene, we were also very fortunate to have contacted Chris McLean of Melodor Akitas whose on-going support, knowledge & guidance over the years has been invaluable and much appreciated. Please feel free to visit our Web site for more information on the American Akita breed standard and to view our dogs and their show wins.

As a kennel we believe in continuously researching and educating ourselves about this wonderful breed. Our aim is to stay true to the breed standard and we strive for type, temperament and health, thus ensuring the breed characteristics of the American Akita is preserved. All our dogs are fully health screened, eye certified clear and BVA hip scored. We feel health testing is a priority in order to promote the breed in a positive way, and a necessity to move this relatively new breed forward. The breed is not without health problems and eye-problems are present including Microphthalmia (small-eye), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), entropion and ectropion. As with other large breeds, hip dysphasia can also occur. The Akita can also suffer stomach Bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus).

We enjoy promoting this loyal breed and are proud to be founding members of the Akita Association of Ireland. The Association incorporates both the American Akita & the Japanese Akita Inu. The American Akitas origins are that of the Japanese Akita Inu and derive from Northern Japan, however they are now two distinctive breeds each recognised separately by the FCI. The Akita Association of Ireland was founded in February 2011 with an open invitation to all show kennels interested in promoting their breed and having advocacy for the breed. The Akita Association is the only affiliated IKC Akita breed club in Ireland and we are pleased to say that the support for the Association has been over-whelming this year. It was very up lifting to see the number of people present at our first Hands-on Breed Seminar in October this year. Visit Akita Association Of Ireland for more information on the history and origins of the American Akita Breed and the work of the Association.

Finally we would like to finish by saying that the American Akita is an extremely rewarding breed that requires love and affection, and owners need to be dedicated to training and socialising this wonderful dog. All our dogs are reared around our children and are a wonderful addition to our family. Well-bred, balanced and healthy Akitas have wonderful temperaments with people and children, however it should be noted that same sex Akita’s will not live together in harmony and many will not accept other dogs as companions. Akita’s are suited to owners who have experience with the breed. As with all breeds, potential owners should research the breed and ensure that they can offer the input it deserves. We hope you have the time to visit the fore-mentioned websites and gain a deeper knowledge of this exceptional breed, as it is impossible to condense and convey the vast amount of information relating to the American Akita. We are deeply honoured to have been approached by pedigree dogs to write this article and we hope our dedication and passion for the breed has shone through.

Bryan & Hazel Aherne

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Lion used as guard dog !

Paul | blog | November 18, 2011

This is the true story of a garage owner in the east of Northampton who gave his dog a haircut.

He was sick and tired of thieves breaking into his garage shop to steal tools, etc.

So he came up with this idea to give his dog a haircut.

He put the word out that he had a new Mexican Lion that would attack anyone that tried to break in or climb his fence.

Would-be thieves saw the “Lion” from a distance and fled the scene.

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It’s a Dogs life in Europe

Paul | blog | November 10, 2011

During the Celtic Tiger years Ireland went through a major transformation.

People everywhere wanted more from their lives, and would do anything to keep up with the latest trend.

Streetside cafe’s sprung up all over the place, and a law was even tabled where alcohol could be served at these premises late into the evening.

This trend was of course mirrored on the European system, that works so well.

Why is it then that we are prepared to freeze sitting outside a cafe in the middle of November, all in the hope of looking more trendy or European, but we don’t adopt their practices when it comes to keeping dogs.

Dogs would be allowed into these premises in Europe, and there dogs are considered an integral part of the family unit.

That in my opinion is the crux of the problem re dog ownership in this country, as in Europe the dog is considered as part of the family, but here in Ireland, the majority of people just see a dog as a pet or less, and something that can be discarded when times get tough.

I know of people in Holland that keep and breed Standard Smooth Dachshunds, and never have a problem in finding excellent homes for the pups, and develop a friendship with the new owners for the life of the dog and beyond.

Here in Ireland, people that own this breed, or any less popular breed of dog, would only consider a litter of pups if they had a large waiting list, as if you had a litter without the same you couldn’t be sure of where they may end up, and the chances are that after the novelty has worn off, just like sitting outside a cafe in the middle of November, the dog would be dumped or sent to the pound.

When it comes to responsible dog ownership in Ireland, as they say at recent Eurovision Song contests – Ireland – Nil Points !

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Crufts 2012 – Another tough year ahead !!!

Paul | blog | November 4, 2011

I recently Blogged about the decline in certain breeds of dogs, like the Sealyham Terrier.

The picture used for that blog was a Sealyham Terrier going Best In Show at Crufts Dogs show in 2009.

Usually, going Best In Show at Crufts has a huge impact,mainly positive, for the breed in question, but not so for the Sealyham Terrier.

Part of the reason is that Crufts was not televised that year due to the BBC pulling out, so the massive numbers that usually just tune in once a year to the world of pedigree dogs, missed out on this.

With Crufts not having a major sponsor for 2012, and the pending screening of pedigree dogs exposed (Part 2) it looks like the world of the pedigree dog is in for another tough year.

Events like Discover Dogs being held this W/E in Earls Court London, go a large way in promoting pedigree dogs to Joe Public, but maybe more needs to be done.

Gone are the days in all walks of life when customers, in this case, new owners of pedigree dogs, just come knocking on your door.

We are living in a digital age, and the Kennel Club (London) have embraced the social media tools like Facebook (nearly 11000 likes) & Twitter, (Over 6000 followers) as well as forging partnerships with like minded companies and individuals to help spread the good news about our dogs.

We all do our bit by breeding responsibly, and making sure we raise well adjusted healthy pups, but maybe the odd share from the Kennel Clubs Facebook page or re-tweet will help in a small way in getting our message out there, as the gloves are off and it’s about time we started to fight back.

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Dog Rescues & Breed Clubs

Paul | blog | November 3, 2011

This little fella ended up in a dog rescue at just 7 months of age.

I spotted him on Facebook and was able to put the people involved in touch with The Irish Dachshund Club as they run a rescue section

The Irish Dachshund Club have taken “Tiny” into their care and are very hopeful of finding a loving and permanent home for him, as the club is always getting enquires for dogs that have passed the house training stage.

The reason I am blogging about this, is that I am not sure if all the pounds and rescues across the country realise that a lot of dog breed clubs have a rescue facility that do trojan work in rehoming dogs of their chosen breed that have fallen on hard times.

Clubs like the Emerald Isle Newfoundland club run a very successful rescue organisation, and at this years Pet Expo held a raffle to try and generate a small bit of income to try and offset a small portion of the huge cost involved in running same.

Likewise a lot of clubs such as Newtownards & District Canine Club run charity events throughout the year, with the proceeds going to a chosen local dog rescue.

Therefore can I ask all breed clubs to send me on details of their rescue section, so that I can publish same on our blog, and at the same time ask any rescue when they have a pedigree dog come into their care that you contact the respective breed club to see if they indeed have a rescue, or get in contact with us here at Pedigree Dogs so that we might be able to assist with same.

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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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Pugs – A very versatile breed !

Paul | blog | October 14, 2011

Now I’m sure PJ Collins and his daughter Adrienne advised the massive amount of visitors to the Pug breed stand at last week ends Pet Expo, that Pugs are a very versatile breed, but I’m sure they would even be impressed by the current Citroen TV ad shown below (In French, couldn’t find the English version on Youtube)

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Beware – Irresponsible dog breeders

Guest Writer | blog | October 13, 2011

Events such as the Pet Expo offer us ethical breeders and dog enthusiasts a great opportunity to educate the public about our breeds.

However it doesn’t stop there. It also allows us to hear from them. One aspect that becomes apparent when talking to the public is how much misinformation is spread by irresponsible dog breeders, and the extent of the irresponsible and unethical behaviour that exists among some people producing puppies on a regular basis. It seems that all too often the average dog lover is being hoodwinked by the hard sell; the pros are being bolstered but the cons hidden.

We all adore our own particular breeds, and when given the chance to talk about them most of us can rabbit on for an eternity. However, when someone enquires it is our duty to be truthful. No breed is suitable for everyone. All have very specific traits and characteristics. That’s why we love the ones that make the perfect fit with us. This perfect fit makes for very happy people and very happy dogs. It’s another reason why we love pedigree dogs; relatively speaking (compared to cross-bred dogs) we know what we can expect from a breed. In some cases the misrepresentation of a breed can result in the new owner ending up with a lot more on their plate than they expected, a dog that can be more work than we expected in terms of training, exercise or grooming, but in some cases inexperienced dog owners are being sold a cute little puppy that in the wrong hands and wrong environment will eventually become a public hazard and threaten the safety of all around.

Last weekend I spoke to a very nice couple that had been sold a Caucasian Ovcharka (also called the Caucasian Shepherd or mountain dog). They asked me what I thought of the breed, and I replied that I really like them. “Why don’t you have one?” was their next question. However my honest answer seemed to leave them a bit perturbed…despite my life revolving around my dogs and very many years experience with big defensive dogs I would not have the ability to control a Caucasian, and couldn’t cope with their extreme temperament. They informed me that the parents of the puppies were very good examples of the breed imported into Ireland. So I explained that as a good example of the breed the defensive behaviour would be more pronounced, not less; it is a desired trait in the CO.

The Caucasian Ovcharka is a massive and very handsome dog. He is bred for a very specific purpose and is very good at his job. Defensive, guarding and dominant behaviour is the key trait of the breed. That combined with incredible size, strength and independence of mind make him excel at his duties when left alone on the Caucuses to destroy any potential threat to his flock, whether the threat is animal or human. However these exceptional traits that make him the perfect dog in one situation also make him the worst dog and a public liability in most normal Irish settings. His nature is to keep strangers away, and while this sounds like a trait common to all guarding breeds the degree to which the Caucasian expresses this nature can’t be compared to any of the guarding breeds we are more familiar with such as GSDs, Rottweilers or Dobermans. The latter breeds were developed and bred to react to their owners demands to protect, but the Caucasian was bred to guard independently and use his own initiative… best case scenario, in the hands of a very (and I mean VERY) experienced owner he trusts only his family and will keep all others away (including anyone or anything that he perceives as a threat gets too close on walks or to his territory) with a determination and force that most people including those very experienced with dogs can’t fathom.

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Smile – You have done us Proud !

Paul | blog | October 12, 2011

Ok, so I’m back in the land of the living.

All of us are getting older by the day, but some cope with it better than others.

It’s taken me 2 days to fully recover after the Pet Expo week end in Dublin.

Having said that, I wouldn’t change it one bit.

I’m not sure about you, but I thought the whole event was FANTASTIC !

IMO the Breed Village was a massive success and I am proud to have been part of it.

It puts the wind back in your sails, when you see people that are 100% dedicated to their breeds, travelling from the four corners of this country, at considerable expense, to educate the general public, not only about breed specific information relative to their own breed, but responsible dog ownership in general.

A couple of things stick out for me, the first being how well the public reacted to what they are lead to believe as “Dangerous Breeds”

Huge numbers visited the Rottweilers, Mastiff’s, Ridgebacks, Dobermann’s,Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Miniature Bull Terrier, and they had a massive impact on reversing the visitors opinion of these breeds,

It was also great to see how all the dogs at the breed village reacted with children, as it is the younger generations where we can have the most affect. Adults have become prejudiced towards certain breeds or just dogs and pedigree dogs in general, and it is very difficult to try and change this persons mind once made up.

Children on the other hand are open to the whole experience, and it was fantastic to see children in push chairs right up to teenagers engaging with all the breeds on display, and coming away with huge smiles on their faces.

Finally, it was the dogs themselves that did all the hard work. In some cases they had 15 & 1/2 hours of being stroked,mauled, held, kissed, photographed, all without one single incident.

It was fantastic to see them all reacting so well with people of all shapes and sizes, some less advantaged than the rest of us, as well as all the visiting publics dogs, and they really are the true ambassadors of their breed.

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One Man And His Dog – Come Bye

Paul | blog | September 1, 2011

Just like the screening of Crufts, back in the late 1990′s the BCC axed the very popular Sheepdog trails show, One Man And His Dog, only for the baton to be picked up again by Channel 4, as they are going to broadcast the World Sheepdog Trials which begin on September 15.

This event which is staged at the Lowther Estate near Penrithwill, Cumbria will feature 240 dogs with competitors from 23 nations.

They include entries from Brazil, Japan and the US.

Now calling it One Man And His Dog might be a bit dated as the sport now has a very strong female contingent.

I think the general public think that this is an old mans sport, based on the iconic episodes presented by the legendary Phil Drabble, but most of the competitors at this event will be in their 20s to 40s. It’s becoming a very big sport now, with pet passports, people can travel to compete.

Channel 4 say they will be giving the show a cutting edge makeover, with cameras on pens etc, and as long as they don’t do what the makers of the film “Best In Show” did re our beloved Dog Show’s, then I for one will be tuning in.(Must say though, I love that film)

Come bye !

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Pedigree Dogs – In Great Shape !

Paul | blog | June 1, 2011

This years Crufts Best In Show (BIS) Jim Irvine’s Flat-coated Retriever Sh Ch Vbos The Kentuckian, AKA Jet has retired from the show ring at the tender age of nine years and nine months.

I’m sure the huge numbers of people that tuned into the above event were amazed to think that a dog kept in such superb condition was in fact a veteran in Dog Show terms.

As we all know it’s quite easy to tar something’s all with the same brush, but I think that Jet stands out as an example to those that think that all Pedigree Dogs are damaged / diseased.

In all walks of life you will get people that misrepresent certain groups, and it’s easy for the anti people to highlight these, but in my opinion there are more positives,(Jet just being one small example), that Pedigree Dogs as a whole are in good shape, and an even healthier future to look forward to.

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Irish Guide Dogs – Every day is a Holly day!

Paul | blog | March 3, 2011

Thank you to Doreen from the Irish Guide Dogs for allowing me to use articles from their site / blog on pedigreedogs.ie

We look forward to working with the Irish Guide Dogs going forward.

Stay tuned for further updates!

Every day is a Holly day!
Author: Dominique Farrell (Guide Dog Owner)
Date: Friday 28 January, 2011

The 19th of September 2003 was the best day of my life. It’s the day that I met my beloved guide dog Holly for the first time and it’s a day that I will cherish and remember forever. This is when my independence started and I haven’t looked back since.

Being a Guide Dog Owner is the best and proudest feeling ever in the world. When I initially applied for a Guide Dog, it felt extremely daunting, especially being away from home, but the fantastic staff and my Guide Dog Mobility Instructor, Rhea Eswer, made me feel so at ease. The welcoming atmosphere at the Centre in Cork makes it feel like a home away from home. In the end, I didn’t want to leave. I actually cried when my training was over and had to head back home. I’d made so many everlasting friends during my training and I still treasure them to this day.

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The Pet Jetsetter

Joe | blog | May 18, 2010

The Pet JetSetter is a designer bag with accents making it stand out to the passersby. It is obviously your poochie’s bag and not just another tote or messenger bag.

We have baby diaper bags so why not doggy diaper bags? Tote your poochie’s gear in style with this chic and stylish dog overnight bag. It’s guaranteed to make your furry friend wag his tail when you reach for it. The patented “Pet JetSetter” by Metzger’s Designs is a designer pet bag, large enough for every dog’s necessities. Each of the six pockets are decorated so you know what’s inside. You no longer have to dig through a cluttered bag.

Many of us have a four legged companion that we take on trips to the beach, family vacations, lake, river, camping, friend’s homes, doggie day care or just for a ride in the car. This doggy diaper bag gives you the convenience of having all of your dog’s necessities at your fingertips. You can even have everything packed and always ready to go!

www.petjetsetter.com

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Hide those Easter Baskets…

Paul | blog | April 2, 2010

Like most pet owners, you probably know by now that chocolate is toxic to dogs. You would never share chocolate bunnies with your dog. Since Easter is this W/E, be sure to remind everyone in your family of the danger and ask them to take extra precautions to keep Easter candy out of your dog´s reach. Don´t allow small children to have chocolate candy when the dog is nearby. Remind guests not to share Easter goodies with your friendly little pup, no matter how cute she looks when she begs.

If your dog has the house to himself when you´re away, make sure everyone´s Easter baskets are up high or in a room behind closed doors, where your dog could not possibly reach them. Big dogs might not be able to resist the temptation of a counter full of chocolate candy. Small dogs, who are at highest risk, can climb on a chair to reach a table full of candy or pull on a tablecloth to bring the candy to the floor.

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