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Get to know more about our Dog of the Month, Fendi the Kelpie!  The Kelpie, also known as the Australian Kelpie if a fast, intelligent breed of dog that is longer then it is tall. Their compact build enables them to most quickly through packs of sheep and be as flexible as they need to be.
It is unconfirmed the exact origin of the Kelpie, some believe they are a cross of a Border Collie with a Dingo but other documents show they were developed from English North Country Collies, who were a great herding dogs throughout Britain. It is believed they imported, like many other sheepdogs, to Australia in the late 19th century and the breed has continued to be developed here in Australia to handle the harsh working environments of Aussie farms. Today they are used all throughout the country as both working dogs and pets. The name ‘Kelpie’ comes from the novel ‘Kidnapped’ written by Robert Louis Stevenson, a Scottish writer, who mentioned the water kelpie throughout his book. The Kelpie we know today is a very smart dog, who always needs a job to do. For this reason, if not working on a farm, they need a lot of mention stimulation and a strong, confident, calm pack leader to show them the way. Without rules and a job to do, the Kelpie can become very destructive and with a build and stamina like theirs, can very quickly learn how to climb fences and entertain themselves if they are allowed to be become bored. They fit will into a pack and if socialised correctly will welcome other animals into their pack including cats and smaller pets. Aside from their high need for mental and physical stimulation, the Kelpie is a rather easy breed to keep. Their short coat is easy to maintain with brushing only required as needed. The coats can come in a variety of colours with the most common being Red and Black and Tan but they can be found in Chocolate, Blue, Fawn or a combination of these colours too. Being an active dog a high quality diet will ensure a healthy dog that can live over 12 years of age. They are a breed that is prone to Progressive Retinal Atrophy, which is retinal degeneration causing partial to total blindness but other than this are not prone to any other major health issues.
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The Boxer is a powerful and compact breed of dog, easily identified by their short muzzle and large nose, giving the appearance of a ‘squished’ face. The breed we developed in the 19th century in Germany and are descendant of two large mastiff type dogs, the Bullenbeiszer and the Barenbeiszer and over time were cross bred with Bulldogs, to create the Boxer that we all know and love today. Their name came from their ability and character trait to used their front lets like a bat when defending themselves, there for appearing to be boxing. Originally, the breed was used as working dogs, taking care of herds, pulling carts and also as fighting dogs and catching wild animals. They were also used as show dogs in theatre acts and circus groups. The breed standard for the Boxer was not set until 1904, prior to this the image of the Boxer varied. Today, they are used as guard dogs and some police and military work as well as search and rescue, competitive obedience and of course, a great family pet. The Boxer offers an easy to groom, almost maintenance free coat that can be easily brushed. They should only be bathed when needed. Their coat comes in a variety of colours including brindle, tan, fawn, black, mahogany and usually with white markings. They can also come in a pure white coat, however this colour is rarely accepted by Boxer clubs. The Boxers that we love and know today that fit perfectly into any family are known for their happy, playful, energetic personality. They are a very smart dog who love to learn and are eager to please, this is what makes them great for competitive sports. They love to be busy and are always on the move, they require plenty of physical and mental exercise to prevent destructive behaviour. They are a breed that can easily become highly strung, so too much mental energy built up can lead to this. From a young age, they need to be taught rules and boundaries and not encouraged to jump up at people, as this can cause more issues down the track once fully grown. The Boxer has a natural behaviour to protect it’s family, so make great guard dogs, however need to be well socialised from a young age with new people, animals and situations to avoid aggressive behaviour. The Boxer makes for a great family member to join an active house hold and love to be busy. They are very entertaining and leave everyone with a smile on their face.  Why not spend your Easter weekend making some yummy muffins that even your pooch can enjoy!
Ingredients 3 medium Carrots, shredded (approximately 1 1/2 cup) 1 cup sugar free Apple Sauce 2 Eggs 1/2 cup Milk 1 1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour 1 teaspoon Cinnamon Directions 1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees and line mini-muffin pans with paper liners. 2. In a medium bowl mix shredded carrots, apple sauce, eggs and milk then set aside. 3. In a large bowl mix whole wheat flour and cinnamon. 4. Once well combined add the wet carrot mixture to the flour mixture and stir until mixed. 5. Spoon cupcake batter into paper liners until 1/2 to 2/3 full. 6. Bake for 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle come out clean. 7. Cool 5 minutes in pans then remove and place on wire racks to cool completely. Makes 4 dozen yummy mini-muffins for everyone to enjoy!  It's something we all know, dogs get sick from eating chocolate. But why is that?
Well - there are two ingredients in chocolate that makes our dogs (and cats) sick, this is caffeine and the chemical used in chocolate called theobromine. Dog's bodies and organs are not able to metabolize either of these chemicals the same way that humans can which makes them far more sensitive to the effects of them. It can be confusing when you see dog treats (especially around Easter time) that appear to be made of or from chocolate. These products use Carob instead of Chocolate, which contains no caffeine and no theobromine so is safe for dogs to eat. If you are concerned that your dog has ingested chocolate or any other toxic food, you should always seek vet treatment. We have reached the 8th month of the year, time to announce our next Dog of the Month. Congratulations to.......  Millie This adorable little ball of Boston Terrier cuteness just melts your heart! We know everyone is going to fall in love with her as much as all the Doggy Doaters have!
 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. Although a diet of a good quality dry kibble, bones and dental treats is a great way to keep our dog’s teeth clean, sometimes it isn’t enough. That’s when it’s time to brush your dog’s teeth. Although dog’s are not as prone to cavities as us humans are they can still develop tartar and plaque build-up and also gingivitis. Signs of dental health issues can be bad breath or yellow teeth and these signs should not be ignored. As with humans, untreated dental issues can lead to life threatening infections and cause issues with the heart, liver and kidney disease.
If you are going to be cleaning your dog’s teeth you will need doggy toothpaste, which can be purchased from your local vet or some pet shops and a doggy toothbrush, ideally a double headed brush will work perfect as it will clean the teeth and inside of the mouth at the same time. Work the brush at a 45 degree angle to make sure you’re cleaning along the gum line also. For some dog’s this can be a little uncomfortable and they can a little uneasy with the whole experience but there a number of different things you can do to make this a pleasant experience for you both. Firstly, don’t overdo it for the first few times, if your dog is happy to sit for a few minutes and no longer, don’t push your luck. Slowly build up their confidence. Try to schedule your tooth clean for a time after you’re pooch has had a lot of mental and physical exercise so they are more inclined to sit still and won’t have any excess built up energy. After you have finished be sure to reward you’re dog, with something that will also help to clean their teeth (ie; chicken neck, denta stick, marrow bones etc) ... that there is a very important reason why your dog's nose is wet?
The wetness of a dog’s nose is essential for determining what direction a smell is coming from. Many dogs who have been de sexed can and will mount other dogs, even if they are female. This is generally seen as an act of breeding though often isn’t.
This can be understood by viewing young puppies, that haven’t even reached puberty yet (this appears around 6 – 8 months of age.) Mounting will generally appear not long after pups begin to walk and can look as if the dogs are playing with each other. They are actually establishing who is the dominant one and exploring their physical abilities as well as social potential. The stronger pup will mount its submissive brothers and sisters and will use this method to show their leadership and dominance within the pack, this will continue on throughout adulthood, even once the dog has been desexed. By placing a limb on top of another dog or standing over another dog is a way of showing dominance so by mounting another dog, the alpha is saying they are in charge and they are the more dominant of the two, this is purely a symbol of power and control, not a sexual behavior. This is simply a natural part of dog behavior and dogs should not be punished for this. A human should only step in if the situation escalates and may turn to aggression. The difference should also be noted when a female is in a heat and an entire male is around, mounting in this circumstance is not a sign of dominance. Mounting or leg ‘humping’ of humans is also a sign of dominance and not a dog’s way of saying ‘I love you.’ If your pooch mounts your leg they are showing they feel they are in charge and you quickly need to change your behaviors to show you are the pack leader. For more tips on this check out our pack leader blogs. Any dog that feels they are pack leader over their humans will display unwanted behaviors and can be difficult to train the longer they feel they are in charge. The pretty Daffodil is not that pretty for our pets!
These spring sprouting delights are toxic to both dogs and cats with the bulbs being the most toxic part of the plant. They contain lycorine which is an alkaloid with strong emetic properties, something that triggers vomiting. There are crystals around the outer layer of the bulb which cause serious tissue irritations. If any part of the flower is digested, including the bulb, this can cause diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and in severe cases even respiratory depression or cardiac arrhythmias. If you Daffodil’s popping up in your garden at any time or you have any inside your house in a vase make sure they are kept well out of reach of your pets and make sure all water from the vase is deposed of also. Contact your vet immediately if you have any concerns in regards to your pet’s health. |
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