Blog Archives - Melbourne's Most Loved Dog Kennel

Gemma & Frodo

31/5/2013

It’s the weekend again already!

We hope that everyone who’s away on holidays is enjoying some nice warm weather and for everyone back in Melbourne we hope you’re keeping safe and warm!

We wanted to talk to you about Canine Cough. A lot of know about Canine Cough and know we get our dogs vaccinated yearly. But like many other human illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and pancreatitis, Canine Cough is simply the dog version of our cold and flu.

We humans can get vaccinated against the common cold but as there are many different strains we can still contract it, as can dogs. Canine Cough is an airborne virus that has an incubation period of up to 7 – 10 days. This means a dog can appear to be perfectly healthy but 7 days later can begin to cough, meaning they have actually been sick prior but not shown any symptoms. This can make it a little difficult to tell if your dog has interacted with an ill dog at the park as they may not be showing any signs yet.

Luckily, Canine Cough is treated just as easily as the human cold, Robitussin Dry Cough Forte is completely safe to be given to your dog (must be DRY mixture) and is something you can safely administer in your home. If your dog’s behaviour begins to change, if they have loose motions, any blood in the motions or begin vomiting it’s best to seek your vet’s treatment. We have our own Canine Cough information brochure that can be found HERE which is a great little thing to keep in your doggy file.

Try and keep warm!

Gemma & Frodo!

Cyril - Signing Off.

30/5/2013

This is me & my Dad.

Can you believe my reign as Dog of the Month has already come to an end?

I must admit, I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this and my parents too are quite proud. They spoil me you see and even picked up a great article on Border Terriers. I felt I just had to share some of it with you all, I think it really sums us up quite well.

Taken from Country Life, an English Magazine.

Devotees say one you’ve had a Border terrier, you’ll never look at another dog.
IF the Border terrier was human, the elbows of his tweed jacket would be patched with leather and he would spend his evenings reading hunting diaries in a smelly armchair.
A chap can feel happy walking a Border down the road because he won’t be laughed at, Borders don’t know they’re little.
Richenda Miers, a former army wife, states; ‘Once you’ve had one, you’ll be hooked. They’re half human, gentle, kind, polite, loving. They have attitude, there’s a little built in corner of their brain you can’t change, however well you train them.’

And what better way to prove we are simply the best, chairman of the Kennel Club, Steve Dean owns and breeds Border Terriers!

I guess that’s enough bragging for one day. I hope you’ve all enjoyed letting a little bit of Cyril into your life and I’ll be sure to make many more appearances throughout Dogs Country Club.

Thank you,

Cyril.

Need your teeth cleaned? Hire a Dachshund!

28/5/2013

Do you know a Vizsla?

27/5/2013

Leela & Hugo.

The Vizsla, also known as the Hungarian Pointer is a medium sized hunting dog. They’re body is longer than it is taller, only slightly, and they’re an extremely lean and muscular dog.
They originated in Hungary and were bred by the Magyars who used them as hunting dogs. ‘Vizsla’ in Hungarian means ‘Pointer.’ They’re depicted in etchings dated back to the 10th century and are believed to have descended from several different pointers. Their strong sense of smell and endless amount of energy make them the ideal hunter and were superb for catching rabbit and waterfowl.
After World War II they almost became extinct. When the Russians took control of Hungary, after the war, native Hungarians smuggled some Vizsla’s into America and Austria and saved the breed.

There are two cousins of the Vizsla, the Wirehaired Vizsla and the extremely rare longhaired Vizsla. The longhaired Vizsla is a rare occurrence but can be born in a little of Wirehaired or short haired, though the longhaired is not registered anywhere in the world but some are believed to be in Europe.

The Vizsla is a very gentle, fun loving dog and is very keen to learn and easily trainable, with the right pack leader. They require a patient, calm yet firm leader who can provide them with the daily mental stimulation they require. A perfect owner for the Vizsla is someone who knows the difference between a firm pack leader and a strong authorities figure, as someone too strong a dominating will clash with the Vizsla’s temperament and they can be very stubborn when they want to be.

Daily exercise is a must! They are great with kids but can be too much for younger children, energetic kids are the perfect match! Long daily walks and runs are must but will not satisfy their mental stimulation, toys, games and tracking exercises are ideal, they also do well in competitive obedience. Without the right amount of mental and physical stimulation they become a very highly strung dog. They require plenty of socialisation from a young age and need to be exposed to new situations and sounds to avoid any behavioural issues later in life. Obedience training should also begin as soon as they join your family. A fully grown, untrained Vizsla can be extremely destructive and difficult to handle. Their wiliness to please makes them very easy to train.

Their smooth, short haired coat is very easy to maintain, only requiring a brush occasionally and bathing only as needed. They settle well into any home environment but if there is any chance that they cannot have long, daily exercise and mental stimulation then they are not the dog for you. They form great relationships with their family members and make a great addition to any high energy group.

Ruby & Rico.

Get ready for Winter!

25/5/2013

Although we’ve been lucky to get some days of sunshine I think it’s safe to say we’re in for a pretty cold winter!

Just like us, our dogs have a cold tolerance and this can vary between breeds depending on their coat, body fat, activity levels and general health. Be aware of your pet’s tolerance during the cooler months and make sure your keeping an eye on them. Depending on how cool it may be you may need to shorten the length of your walks. If you have an elderly dog or one who suffers from arthritis don’t push their limits and adjust their exercise times as required. For elderly dogs they’re best to have shorter walks spread throughout as long as temperature outside isn’t too low It can be a lot harder for your elderly or arthritic dogs to move around in the colder weather, especially when they first wake up. If possible, sleeping inside would be ideal but if this isn’t an option their outside area must be protected from the elements and for shorter furred dogs a coat would be ideal. Although we like to think our dogs are suited for outside living they are still susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia.

Although it might be raining outside it can be hard to look into those big brown eyes and say no. If the rain is only light it is okay to go for a walk, as long as you and your mate have a coat on they’ll be more than happy to trot along beside you. Keep in mind smaller dogs have shorter legs, meaning their bellies are a lot closer to the ground and more prone to getting wet whilst outside. Jackets and coats are available that can cover the underneath section of your pooch.

Be logical when having your pet outside in the cold. Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or hormonal imbalances (ie; Cushing’s disease) can have difficulty regulating their body temperature. This can also be an issue for very young or old pets.

For our shorter coated, older pets inside access (especially of a night time) if ideal but sometimes we can forget our dogs natural body functions. Some breeds of dogs are designed for the cooler weather and we can easily forget this. Breeds such as Huskies, Malamutes, Saint Bernard’s and Pyrenean Mountain Dogs are all working dogs from the snow. These breeds have thick double coats and can easily over heat if we try to over compensate for their natural ability to stay warm. In saying this, no pet should be left outside for long periods of time in the cold.
If you ever have any concerns about your pets or ability to cope during the cooler weather it’s best to consult your vet.

A common issue, that’s normally more spoken of in summer, is pets being left in cars. Although your dog can keep out of the wind inside a vehicle, if left un attended for a period of time your car can quickly cool down and turn into an ‘ice box’ as such. We all know how cold our cars are of a morning when we first get in and the temperature can drop very quickly even with a doggy inside.

If your exercise routine changes due to the cold weather and your dog gets less exercise make sure you adjust your meal sizes to match. For example, if your pet is high energy who would normally exercise a lot on a daily basis and this becomes less during winter you may need to feed a little less to avoid unhealthy weight gain.

Don’t forget your pooch can help to keep you warm too, nothing beats coming home from a cold day and snuggling on the couch with your furry four legged best friend!

Gemma & Frodo - Keeping warm!

24/5/2013

What a chilly weekend we are set to have!
We hope everyone has kept nice warm over the past week!

Have no fear with the cool weather though; all of our guests at Dogs Country Club enjoyed a nice snug night inside their fully insulted and sound proof room with heating available for any guests that require it.
We also have available, for all guests, our very fashionable Thermatex Coats. These coats are made from a natural wool based fabric and although they are quite light and breathable they are extremely comfortable and offer the warmest option for our guests.
These coats are available for purchase in our office also and might be just what you need coming into these wintery months. All sizes and colours are available but if we don’t have them in the requested size we can always order them in for quick delivery.

If you have any questions or queries in regards to our coats let our staff know or check them out next time your down here.
In the meantime, enjoy the photos from our fashion show in our new Thermatex Coats.

Gemma & Frodo.

Cyril - Border Terrier TAKEOVER!

23/5/2013

Happy Friday!

I thought as I’m dog of the month and that we’re heading into a pretty laid back weekend that I might share some of my favourite pieces from my scrap book. I’m just a pretty face you see; I’m quite a creative little fella.
Enjoy!

Cyril.

Relax.. it's Wednesday...

21/5/2013

They're sexy and they know it.

20/5/2013

Our beloved mate Mouse.

The Chinese Crested is stunning, head turning breed. They come in two different varieties; hairless and powder puff. The Hairless Chinese Crested has fur only on their feet, head and tail. The Powder puff has a long, soft coat over their entire body. The Hairless variety has always been a lot more popular with some breeders claiming the powder puff is worthless in comparison, for this reason many people are unaware of the Powder puff’s existence.
The Chinese Crested’s skin and coat can be any colour, mixed, spotted or coloured and both the Powder Puff and Hairless can be born in the same litter together.

They originated in Africa and were known as ‘African Hairless Terriers.’ They were used to hunt vermin on Chinese trading ships that would stop along the African shores, it was then they were named the ‘Chinese Crested.’ Ancient Native American tribes were known for using them as bed warmers and also used them as a source of food. Their numbers dwindled and in 1965 there were very little Chinese Crested’s still around and their eligibility to be show dogs was dropped. Their first American breed club was established in 1965 and to this day they are still shown in rare breed dog shows.

Although today the Chinese Crested are the most popular of the hairless breeds, they are still considered a rare breed of dog. They are an extremely alert and charming breed and full of personality. They are very affectionate and are great with children, as long as they are handled carefully, as their skin is quite exposed they can become injured easily. An easy mistake made with this breed is that they become humanised and babied too much. They need to be exposed to loud noises and new environments from a young age and know that you are their pack leader from the start. Although it can be ‘cute’ to baby our smaller pets, this leads to unwanted behaviour and sends the wrong signals to your dog. They are a very intelligent breed and are great for performing tricks. They are ideal for family homes but are great companions for anyone. The Hairless variety rarely malts so are perfect for any allergy suffers and the only maintaince they really require is their skin to be oiled and bathed as necessary. The Powder Puff’s under coat can matt easily so requires daily brushing though both varieties do not let off any kind of ‘doggy odour.’

Size can be deceiving when it comes to these little creatures. Not only are they bursting with personality they’re also extremely active for their size. Daily walks are essential and plenty of play is needed to keep their mind stimulated. Boredom can easily come on and this is when destructive behaviour will start. They like a nice large area to run and play in so would only suite apartment living if daily exercise is guaranteed. They cope well in the warmer weather but a coat is recommended for the cooler weather.

Beautiful little Jagger.

The stunning Chopper.

What do you know about Arthritis?

19/5/2013

Sweet Shambles and Dozer, two elderly guests.

As our pets age their bodies begin to deteriorate and health issues can begin to arise. One of the most common problems in dogs, both young and old is Arthritis. We’re all aware of Arthritis but how does it really affect our dogs?

Although it is more common in older dogs and larger breeds it can affect any dog of any age and size.

What is Arthritis?

Cartilage cushions the ends of bones throughout the body and allows smooth and frictionless motions in the joints. Arthritis occurs when this cartilage breaks down; it becomes rough and eventually wears away, exposing the sensitive bone underneath. This results in pain, inflammation and stiffness in the joints and ultimately it loses its stability.

What Causes Arthritis?

There are a number of different causes of arthritis but the most common cause in dogs in chronic wear and tear of the joints. This is more common in medium to larger breed dogs who can put extra stress on their body with their weight. Other causes can be injury, such as cruciate ligament damage and fractures to the joint. Once a joint is injured it can become unstable would then lead to damage of the cartilage.
Congenital joint problems such as hip dysplasia, luxating patella etc. can also lead to Arthritis. These health issues cause the joints to develop abnormally in a young dog and lead to instability as the dog ages.
Infection can also lead to arthritis, bacteria and other organisms can invade the joint and cause

How do I know if my dog has arthritis?

Arthritis is something your vet can diagnose with a variety of tests and scans. With this in mind, if you notice your dog struggling to get up in the morning or showing any signs of pain it’s best to get seek the advice of your vet, this way you cross out any serious injury or underlying health issues.

How is Arthritis treated?

There is a variety of medication available for the treatment of arthritis that your vet can recommend but there are things you can do yourself at home to help ease the symptoms.

The most important thing you can do for your dog is manage their weight, an overweight dog that suffers from arthritis is a painful mix. Keeping your dog at their ideal, healthy body weight is going to prevent any unnecessary extra weight bearing down on their sore joints. It’s also very important to keep your dog at a healthy weight from a young age, this will help keep their bones strong and healthy and help avoid arthritis from a young age. This is vital in the growth stages for larger breeds especially. It’s best to consult your vet to find out the best weight for your dog, although you can find the average weight for specific breeds every dog is different.
It’s important to maintain regular amounts of low impact exercise as this can actually reduce stiffness and help to strengthen the muscles that support the joints. Soft leash walks and swimming are ideals forms of exercise; in older dogs it’s best to exercise them for smaller amounts of time more often during the day instead of one large walk once a day.
Try to make life as easy as possible for your dog, if needing to get in and out of the car give the option of a ramp or steps. Make sure their bedding is thick and warm during the cooler weather but is still low line to the ground so it’s easy for them to move on and off.
If you find that pet is in pain or have any questions on their health, weight or exercising it’s best to contact your regular vet and have your dog examined.