Your Dog February 2024

Oh, the rain! So much rain! Our garden lawn is a muddy mosh pit, so every time the dogs go out, it’s a mission not to get mud up the kitchen units (and the vinyl floor takes a battering!). As dog owners, we can’t be too ‘house proud’, but at the same time, I’d love to know how others deal with muddy paws. Maybe the answer has more to do with the garden substrate than the dogs?! Am I starting the new year with a grumble? Must be an age thing. Last month saw me reluctantly embrace the shave and accept that at the ripe age of 44, the days of hair are in my past. It’s a chilly season to go bald, and I was then instantly spurred to…

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The fantastic circular route of Mam Tor is a great choice for you and your dog if you’re visiting the Peak District. There’s much to explore in the area – such as the lovely villages of Hope and Castleton, with its show caverns, Lose Hill, Back Tor, Hollins Cross and the peak of Mam Tor. When you look up towards the peaks from the villages down below, it’ll feel as though you’re going to have quite a climb ahead of you, but it’s only 476 metres up to the summit of Lose Hill. Lose Hill offers stunning panoramic views encompassing Mam Tor, the Hope Valley, and the Edale valleys. Despite its closeness to Mam Tor, Lose Hill tends to attract fewer visitors, promising a tranquil escape and a chance to…

When it comes to the nation’s favourite dog breed, Labradors still top the table, according to the UK’s biggest survey of dog owners, Dogs Trust’s National Dog Survey. Earlier this year, Dogs Trust asked dog lovers across the UK to tell them about their pets, and over 244,000 people responded, revealing information about almost 350,000 dogs. The results showed that Labradors remain the number one choice for UK dog lovers, closely followed by Cocker Spaniels and Cockapoos. Other breeds making the top 10 include Jack Russell Terrier, Border Collies and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. The National Dog Survey revealed the dog names loved by the nation as well as the most popular breed. Taking the top spot for female dogs was Poppy, followed by Bella and Luna, with Alfie, Charlie and Milo…

Research by Cliverton, specialist insurance supplier for animal related trades, found that almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of owners surveyed said the emotional upset at the loss was greater than that experienced when a family member dies. And so deep is the trauma that 47 per cent said it would deter them from buying a dog in the future. “Unlike humans, dogs never let you down,” said Lynne Fisher, Associate Director at Cliverton. “Through good times and bad times, they are there by your side. “The bond between dogs and owners is extremely strong – ‘companionship’ was cited as the main reason for getting a dog – so the depth of feeling experienced when they die is totally understandable.” The survey also found that 79 per cent of owners said…

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home reports demand for pet food bank support is now outstripping the supply. As the cost of living escalates, increasing demand is being made on food banks. And not just to feed people – pet owners are facing the awful reality of not being able to afford food for their animals, so they have begun to rely on food banks to feed their beloved pets. To demonstrate just how much demand has increased, in October 2020 the home provided 500 food bank meals – compared with a staggering 52,613 in October 2023. Community Outreach Lead at the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, Kirsten Gillon, said that the cost-of-living crisis is partly to blame. She said, “The cost-of-living crisis has really accentuated the fact that people are…