Blog Archives - Melbourne's Most Loved Dog Kennel

It's Easter - it's Chocolate time.

31/3/2013

We're not silly when it comes to our dogs and chocolate - we know they shouldn't eat it! But why?

Theobromine is the answer! Theobromine is a compound found within cocoa which is used to make chocolate. It is toxic to not only dogs but cats and other pets also. The amount of Theobromine in chocolate does vary between the types of chocolate, with dark chocolate and baking chocolate having a higher level then milk chocolate. The amount that a pet digests obviously results in how much they are affect, though left un noticed even a small amount can lead to serious issues, even death.

Symptoms can include increased heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, nervousness, hyperactivity, trembling, increased drinking, increased urination and seizures.

Chocolate should always be kept out of pets reach and never intentionally given, not even as a small treat. If your pet does happen to digest chocolate, or you suspect they may have, contact your vet immediately.

Happy Easter!

30/3/2013

From all the Doggy Doaters and Gemma Frodo we would love to wish everyone a happy and safe Easter weekend! We hope everyone enjoys themselves and doesn't over indulge on their chocolates!

March Dog of the Month.

28/3/2013

As Easter begins, sadly my crown as Dog of the Month must be passed on. I've been honoured to hold the title this month and although I am always very spoilt when I visit the Resort, this month has been extra special.

Speaking of Great Danes and titles, it would seem I'm not the only famous one!
Check out Zues from Michigan, he won himself into the 2013 Guiness World Records as the worlds tallet dog! Zues measures in at 44 inches from foot to shoulder and when standing on his hind legs stretches out to a massive 7 foot 4!

I may not be as big as Zues but I'm just as pretty!!

Again, I want to thank all the Doggy Doaters for making me feel very special. I can't wait for you to meet April's Dog of the Month!

Have a great Easter -

Nellie xoxo.

Easter Puggy!

27/3/2013

Talented Bulldogs!

26/3/2013

Check out these amazing Bulldogs, what a lot patience their owner must have!

The Airedale.

25/3/2013

The Airedale Terrier is the largest of all the terriers and stands to a medium height with a square appearance. The breed was developed about 100 years ago in the country of York and was originally known as Waterside and Bingley Terriersand. They had descended from the now extinct tan and black type terrier and were later cross bred with the Otterhound to improve their swimming. Their name arose from the Valley of the Aire in England which was heavily populated with small game, it was here they were used as vermin hunters. They were also used to hunt big game throughout India, Africa and Canada. Over the years they have been police dogs and a wartime guard during World War II.

Today they are primarily a companion dog, though through the generations of breeding the Airedale today looks completely different to the original line. They are a courageous and protective dog who, if socialized well, can do well with children though can play a little rough with very small ones. They need obedience training at a high level and are very responsive. They are a fun loving and playful pup and are always happy to please. The Airedale is an extremely loyal dog but is a natural hunter so will need to keep a watchful eye if any smaller pets are around. They are a very rowdy and lively dog and require a high level of daily mental and physical exercise. This, along with stern training, will stop them from becoming bored and destructive and remind them who the ‘Top Dog’ and ‘Pack Leader’ is. An Airedale who feels they are in charge will become disobedient but remember they do not respond well to overbearing or harsh forms of training They are a very intelligent dog and smart enough to perceive quickly what is required of them, but if asked to do the same thing continuously may refused. A confident but firm and consistent handler is ideal to make the best relationship.

As the Airedale was bred for very active lines of work they do require a large amount of exercise and therefore are not ideal for apartment living. They are quite inactive in doors but do need a large yard to move around it as well as long daily walks or runs. Most enjoy ball play and swimming and are a lot more active during their first few years of life, tending to mellow out over time. Their short haired, hard double coat needs to be plucked at least twice yearly. With the correct grooming care they will shed little to no hair. Unfourtunatly with the Airedale daily brushing is not sufficient enough to maintain their coat. Their beards can easily get dirty after eating so many need daily cleaning also. They are a very hardy breed and don’t tend to have many health problems if cared for correctly.

Riding in cars with dogs!

24/3/2013

We’re now at that time of year when everyone is either having the family over, or packing the car up and heading off. For some of us it isn’t an option for us to take our pets, but for those that can here are some important things to remember when travelling with Fido in the car.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your pet is transported correctly and safely and is provided with the essential needs, this includes food, water and protection from the elements whilst still in a safe position in the vehicle.
It is against the law for a dog to travel in the boot of a sedan type vehicle, regardless of how short the trip is. The only way for a dog to travel in this sort of car is in the cabin, this is allowed also in an SUV or wagon type vehicle. Dogs are also allowed to travel in wagon and SUV cars in the back behind a cargo barrier. If travelling in the back of a ute or trailer the dog must be correctly and safely tethered or cage. If tethering a dog, make sure you are aware of their behavior whilst travelling, if they are an anxious or nervous dog this isn’t the safest option for them. Your dog must secured with a lead or chain and have enough length sit and lay down but be short enough that they cannot reach the sides of the car. Long tethers can be more dangerous than nothing at all, with the risk of the dog jumping out and strangling themselves or being dragged beside the car. It is ideal to use a swivel hook when attaching the tether to the vehicle, this will minimize the risk of tangling. The most common injuries caused to dogs whilst travelling in the back of utes are: falling off the back of a moving vehicle, hanging over the side of the vehicle and being struck by passing cars, dogs being dragged along beside a car and attempting to jump from the moving vehicle.
Regardless of what section of the car your dog is travelling in they must be provided with adequate ventilation, if travelling in a container it must have multiple ventilation holes, with a minimum in at least 3 sides of the container.

Be aware of the temperatures and weather expected for your days of travel, even if open in the back of the vehicle dogs can still suffer heat stroke, if temperatures are expected to be high its best that your dog travels inside the cabin with you with the air conditioner on. If the weather is going to be at the other extreme, wet and rainy be considerate of your pet both inside and outside of the car. If travelling in the cabin and you have the heater on, remember most dogs have a thick coat designed to keep them warm so you want to avoid overheating. Even if your dog enjoys the water, if travelling in the rear tub of a vehicle in the rain be mindful of how your pet may cope. With dogs sensitive hearing rain can actually be uncomforting for them and travelling at high speeds doesn’t help with this. If this is the only option for your dog possibly look at crating them and protecting the crate from the elements.

When your dog is travelling inside the car with you, the safest mode of transport is to have them in the back seat restrained or in the boot of a wagon type vehicle behind a cargo barrier. It is in the safety of both humans and the pets travelling in the car that the dog is correctly restrained. An unrestrained dog can cause distraction and in the case of an accident can become a projectile and have some severe damage caused to themselves. It is not safe for a dog to travel with their head hanging out the car window, small particles in the car enter the dog’s eyes, ears and nose and cause injury or infection.

If you are planning on your travelling with your pets in the car and have any questions, check out the DPI Website.

Gemma & Frodo - It's almost Easter!

23/3/2013

Welcome to weekly update from Gemma & Frodo! We all know it's your favourite blog of the week!

Can you believe Easter is only a week away! We are so excited to meet all of our new guests coming to stay with and of course, a good friends as well.
We thought being so close to Easter it was our duty to cover the important stuff about keeping your Doggies safe this Easter. Obviously, if they are staying at our Resort for Easter there will be no chocolate in sight - but if your poochy is spending Easter at home or coming on the family trip with you Chocolate can be a big conern.

Chocolate contains a natural chemical compound called ‘theobromine’, this is a stimulant and falls into the same family as caffeine. Theobromine stimulates the cardiovascular system, central nervous system and increases blood pressure.
Animals such as dogs, horses and cats are unable to metabolize theobromine as quickly as humans can which mean the effects are much more severe in our pets. The side effects from toxic levels of theobromine include; vomiting, diarrhea, muscle twitching, increased urination, excessive panting, whining, dehydration, digestive problems, seizure and a rapid heart rate. Some of these symptoms can lead to a fatal result.
How much chocolate is too much?
This all depends on the individual dog, their size, age and also what sort of chocolate they have eaten. Obviously the larger the dog, the more theobromine they can handle, though an older dog would have less chance of survival.
In regards to the chocolate, cocoa powder contains around 16 times as much theobromine as milk chocolate. The most popular forms of chocolate fall somewhere between these two, with white chocolate being the exception, containing insignificant amounts of theobromine. In saying this, it is not safe for your dog to consume chocolate. Being that there is no set amount that is safe for any dog to consume, it is better to be safe than sorry. Any of the symptoms that can come from theobromine toxin can escalate quickly and result in a fatal situation. For these reasons it is best to avoid giving your dog chocolate at any point. If you have found they have consumed some, regardless of the amount, it is best to seek veterinary advice immediately.

Stonnington's Pets in the Park - March 2013!

20/3/2013

Dogs Country Club & Cooinda Cat Resort have been participating in Stonnington's Pets in the Park for the past 5 years. It is a wonderful event and great family fun day out for pets and their carers, with demonstrations, information, entertainment and children's activities.

There are Pet displays, Free Giveaways, Exhibits and numerous stalls with lots of information on pets, including your beloved cats and dogs. There will be live entertainment such as Demonstrations, Presentations, Live Bands, Kids competitions and lots more.

In the Demonstration Arena, watch and join in presentations by the Victorian Obedience Dog Club and the German Shepherd Dog Club of Victoria. Basil Theofanides from Command Dog Training will be presenting dog training classes for a lucky few. Sign up early!

For a great day’s fun for you and your pampered canine pet why not try lure racing? The Jack Russell Terrier Racing Team will be at Pets in the Park and in previous years have ran Lure Races starting with the Jack Russell Terrier Racing Team and then inviting the spectators beloved canines to get involved. The dogs start in boxes and chase a lure pulled by a battery-operated machine.The antics of some dogs when first raced have the spectators rolling with laughter. After a couple of races they get the idea and are very keen to catch the lure.

Other activities include Pet Q&A with the inimitable Dr Jack Ayerbe, Roving entertainment by Madame Penelope and her Pet Lizards, Up-close encounters with native animals for the Wildlife Xposure native animal presentation, Discounted microchipping at Stonnington's Animal Management tent, and hosted by Channel 10 weatherman Mike Larken.

There is no better way to spend a sunny day than at Stonnington Pets in the Park. Come down and see us on Saturday the 23rd of March at Malvern East's Central Park. Corner of Burke and Wattletree Roads, Malvern East!

Dogue de Bordeaux

18/3/2013

The Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff is a solid, stocky but relatively short mastiff. Their stand out features are their stunning coloured coat, a fawn to mahogany colour sometimes red, and their massive wrinkled head!

There are a number of theories in regards to the origin of the Bordeaux, they may be a decedent of the Bulldog or Tibetan Mastiff or also from the mastiffs brought to Europe by the Alans. They were used at the end of the Middle Ages as a cattle driver and personal bodyguard, sadly a lot of Dogues passed away during the French Revolution. They served not only as war dogs but as guard dogs, flock guardians and trained to bait bulls, bears and hunt boars. After the war their numbers rose again. Their breed was officially recognized by the AKC in 2008 and they are now thoroughly established in more countries including France.

They are an extremely calm dog with a great temperament. They are very devoted to their family and extremely loyal. They make for a fantastic guard dog due to their fearless and confrontational nature, despite this though they are very gentle with children. They are best to socialize from a young age to avoid any further behavioural problems.
They are serious snorers and tend to drool quite a bit. They are an extremely powerful breed and aren’t well suited for unexperienced dog owners and need someone who has the time to put in. They thrive on a firm, but calm, pack leader.

They can grow anywhere between 58 -75 cm and can weigh up to as much as 65.kgs or as little as 54kg. They require stimulation so daily walks are essential and the right balanced diet is necessary for their solid structure. The breed is prone to hip dysplasia but aside from this are generally a healthy dog.

Our beautiful girl Sharni!