"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole"
Roger Caras
Welcome dog lovers! Find out everything you need to know about real dogs all in one place. Whether you have a dog, work with dogs or are thinking of getting a dog, this website has loads of useful information.
If you are thinking of buying a puppy there are many things to consider before making a decision. Take a look at our Buying a Puppy section and also Breed Information. If you haven't owned a dog before then it is a good idea to find a good dog training class to take your new puppy to. Training you puppy from an early age will give you better control of your dog once it is fully grown. It is also a great way to socialise your new puppy with other dogs and people. Spending just 20 minutes each day training your new dog or puppy will help you to form a close bond, and remember training should always be fun for you and your dog.
The most important thing to consider when getting a dog is how much time you have to spend with your dog. It is as much about quality as quantity. Not all breeds will be happy to sit at your feet all evening while you watch Eastenders. There are lots of activities you can get involved in with your dog, so even if you don't have a big garden or live in the city, you can still ensure your dog is happy. Most dogs like to have a mixture of physical exercise and mental challenges. Something as simple as playing hide and seek with your dogs favourite toy will make your dogs day. Fun activities for dogs include;
Obedience Training
Agility
Working Trials
Field Trials
Heelwork to Music
Flyball
Top 10 breeds of 2007
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Cocker Spaniel
3. English Springer Spaniel
4. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
5. German Shepherd Dog
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
7. Golden Retriever
8. Border Terrier
9. West Highland White Terrier
10. Boxer
[Source: The Kennel Club 2008]
So the same breeds in the top 10 for 2007 as 2006, all be it in a different order. The biggest jump being for the Border Terrier who moved from 10th place to 8th. The Kennel Club has also put together a list of traditional British dog breeds that are no longer popular. For various reasons these breeds are now vunerable with less than 300 registered each year in the UK.
Hound Group - Bloodhounds, Deerhounds, Greyhounds, Otterhounds
Gundog Group - Gordon Setters, Irish Red & White Setters, Curly Coated Retrievers, Clumber Spaniels, Field Spaniels, Irish Water Spaniels, Sussex Spaniels
Terrier Group - Dandie Dinmont Terriers, Smooth Fox Terriers, Glen of Imaal Terriers, Irish Terriers, Kerry Blue Terriers, Lakeland Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Norwich Terriers, Sealyham Terriers, Skye Terriers, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, Welsh Terriers
Pastoral Group - Smooth Collies, Lancashire Heelers, Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Toy Group - English Toy Terriers (Black & Tan), King Charles Spaniels.
So if you are thinking of buying a puppy, why not take a look at one of these breeds to see if they would suit your lifestyle. To read about all the different breeds of pedigree dogs visit our Breed Information page.
Dog News and Events
British Dog Breeds in threat of extinction - While some dog breeds increase in popularity, there are a few which are under threat. The Kennel Club started to montior these breeds in 2003.
If you have an event or news story that you would like listed here, please contact us.
Dogs in the News
Dog owners are being warned that feeding their dogs tit-bits could shorten their lifespan. When dogs are overweight it increases the pressure on their joints and puts a strain on their heart [read more]
With the rising popularity of small dogs, rogue breeders are transporting dogs in appalling conditions to meet demands of people who do not want to pay the big price tags. Puppies are taken from their mothers before they are ready and transported to the UK [read more]
Good news for people travelling to Beijing for the Olympics... dog will be official off the menu! The Chinese have eaten dog for 7,000 years, but Beta have banned any of the designated Olympic restaurants from proving meals with dog meat during the Olympics [read more]