"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.
Puppies
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 real 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 - Obedience competitions are fun for the dog and the handler. It involves a lot of work, but will build a fantastic bond between you are your dog.
Agility - Agility is great for all dogs over 18 months of age, whether you attend classes for fun or want to compete it is a good way to keep yourself fit. Dog enjoy agility as much for the mental stimulation as for the physical exercise.
Working Trials - Working trials and Schutzhund are perfect for dogs and owners that love the great outdoors. Most of the training for working trials and Schutzhund is done in open fields in all weathers. Working trials and Schutzhund really test a dogs natural abilities, strength and stamina and is incredibly rewarding.
Field Trials - Gundogs compete in field trials which test their ability to hunt, point and retrieve. Only breeds in the gundog group can compete in field trials.
Heelwork to Music - a fun alternative to obedience competitions, heelwork to music still requires a large amount of accuracy. This sport is great for owners with creative flair that enjoy trying new things with their dog. Heelwork to music or freestyle is increasing in popularity thanks to talented people like Mary Ray and Richard Curtis.
Flyball - This sport is often seen as 'manic' by people outside the sport. Flyball if taught correctly can be fun and safe.
Dog Food
This month I spoke to a number of dog food manufacturers to find out exactly want went in to their dog food. Sadly for the most part the answers I got made my stomach churn. If you aren't sure what is in the food you give you dog then why not give the manufacturer a call? 9 times out of 10 they will be happy to give you a run down of their ingredience and where it is sourced. [read more]
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
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