Doctor Woof from Bayer here…

After checking out the new Friends Furever pages on Facebook, my tail’s wagging with pleasure. You can chat about all kinds of cat and dog issues; stay up-to-date about our fitness and health; plus take part in all kinds of pet-friendly giveaways, promotions and offers.

To sniff it out for yourself, click here.

Also, keep your ears pricked for an email about our new Friends Furever website – coming soon.

With royal mania still in the air following a certain internationally famous, special wedding, we thought it was only appropriate to profile the most regal of pooches for our latest Breed of the Month segment. That’s right, we’re talking about the Welsh Corgi, official pooch of the Queen herself, and we can definitely see why they’re such a favourite…

History
With a royal lineage dating back to the King Hywel Dda, King of Wales (and what a fantastically Welsh name that is!), in the early 12th century, these prestige pooches were always destined for palace life. A member of the Spitz family, Pembroke Welsh Corgis were, somewhat surprisingly perhaps, used to guard family farmyards, as well as for herding fowl.

As time went on, the Corgi also proved its versatility and was used as both a gun dog and ratter, tying itself inextricably to the pursuits of the well-to-do in the British Isles. In more modern times, it was recognised as a breed in the early 1930s – and became one of the best-known breeds in the world after a certain princess (now Queen Elizabeth II) developed a fondness for them.

Appearance
Fox-like and low to the ground with an elongated body and short legs, the Corgi paints an endearing if slightly awkward picture. A small dog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi weighs in at around 12kg for an adult male and 11kg for an adult female. In terms of colour, it is available in red, fawn, black and tan or sable, with or without white markings on the legs and body.

Temperament
Despite its royal lineage, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is hardly reserved, and can be quite boisterous, though very trainable. Always aiming to please (and if the Queen was your owner, wouldn’t you?) the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is suited to herding, agility work and as a family companion.

Having found itself in the national spotlight for so many years due to Queen Elizabeth’s lifelong love, one can only guess which breed will soon shoot to fame when the new Princess Kate sets up house!

[IMAGE SOURCE www.dogbreedsinfo.org; www.dogspedia.net]

Try and work out why your dog is barking so much. Some breeds are more vocal than others but this isn’t an excuse for your dog to be barking every day for consistently long periods of time. Your dog could be barking because they are lonely, scared, frustrated or bored.

You could have unintentionally taught them to bark without even realising it. For example, if your dog lets you know they need to go out by barking, and you do what they desire after they bark, you’ve perpetuated the act of barking. It’s an easy trap to fall into; barking invites attention while it’s easy to forget to reward your dog for staying quiet.

You also might be giving your dog mixed signals about barking. You might ignore them barking one day, scold them the next and encourage them another day if there’s someone suspicious around the house.

The easiest approach to stopping your dog barking is to exercise them more. Even if you have a large yard, your dog might not be exercising as much as they should. Vigorous exercise should tire your dog out enough to stop them barking through the night.

Training your dog to stop barking will take more patience. Work with them by issuing a stop barking command and a treat at the same time. Stretch out the length of time between the command and the treat until they can go for a few minutes without barking. If they do bark after they’ve been given a treat, yell the command loudly. It should surprise them enough to stop them barking. In time, your dog should recognise “˜stop barking” as a command and should follow it.

Have you had trouble with your dog barking? What did you do to fix it?

Sources and further reading:
Stop dogs’ excessive barking
When barking is a problem
Dog and puppy barking

[IMAGE SOURCE www.hubpages.com; www.dogtrainingandtricks.com]

History
Said to have descended from the small dogs used to keep Tibetan Lamas (as is monks, not South American critters!) company and act as watchdogs and ‘hot water bottles’ during the colder months. Closely related to the Pekingese, but with some marked differences, the Tibetan people called the dogs ‘little lions’, yet the official Tibetan Spaniel breed was actually established half a world away from its mountainous origins – in England in the 1920s, where it became loved for its lapdog qualities and attractive coat.

Appearance
A toy-sized dog, the Tibetan Spaniel is of about the same height and weight as a Maltese Terrier. In fact, ‘spaniel’ is a misnomer, as the breed differs in significant ways from other spaniels such as the Cavalier and Cocker Spaniels traditionally used as gun dogs.
With a silky, luxurious coat that comes in a variety of colours (with fawn featuring most frequently), the Tibetan Spaniel is a good-looking dog. As with the Pekingese, the Tibetan Spaniel’s head looks small in relation to the body, while its underbite and large, inquisitive eyes give the breed unmistakable charm.

Temperament
Loyal, alert, playful and intelligent, Tibetan Spaniels retain a puppy-like charm throughout their lives. While the Tibetan Spaniel is an affectionate breed, it does have an independent streak and doesn’t feel compelled to be by a human’s side every second. People who own Tibetan Spaniels report that while the dog always wants to be in their vicinity, it is happy to watch on from the floor or another chair, not needing constant handling.
There’s no doubt that Tibetan Spaniels are heart-winners. With a lineage that stretches back to mystical mountains and monastery life, one can’t help but look into those big, black, expressive eyes and wonder if the Tibetan Spaniel knows a lot more about the meaning of life than he’s letting on.

[IMAGE SOURCE www.dogbreedsinfo.org; www.justdogbreeds.com]

This website encourages you to exercise your dog a lot, so that it is better behaved. If your dog is tired and resting, it won’t have time to chew on your shoes and other items in your home. To me this does not seem to be the best reason to go for a walk with your dog. Remember that the biggest benefits of walking your dog are the benefits to both your health, and your dog’s health.

It is important to keep your dog healthy. Exercise can prevent obesity, heart decease and other health issues in dogs and their owners. Healthy Hearts advises that exercise together with a healthy diet and regular check-ups are all part of keeping your dogs heart happy. Remember that exercise routines need to be developed with your dog’s specific size, age and needs in mind.

If you’d prefer to be still and relaxing while your dog runs around fetching toys and sticks then teaching them how to fetch or retrieve is a good idea. This article gives you good tips on how to teach your dog to retrieve if you have not managed to do it yourself yet.

Best of luck!

As Dog Diaries reported here, the recent floods in Queensland and Victoria, followed by the impact of Cyclone Yasi, haven’t only taken a toll on the human inhabitants. Pets and livestock have suffered, too.

So Dr Katrina Warren and the Wonderdogs would like you and your dog to pack a picnic and join them for a special community event to raise funds for the animals and their families affected by the recent disasters. Registration costs just $10 per adult (children are free), with all money raised going to the Animal Welfare League NSW. Alternatively, you can make a donation at www.awlnsw.com.au.

The event is taking place this Sunday, 27 February, 2011, at Callan Park, Rozelle, NSW, from 3pm onwards and features a great line-up, including…

•    Wonderdog trick shows, training and agility
•    Dog competitions, such as ‘musical sit’ and a trick competition
•    A colouring competition for kids
•    An opportunity to meet Dr Katrina, plus other celebrities and their dogs
•    Photo opportunities with the Wonderdogs, sponsored by The Advantage Family
•    Raffle
•    Pet photographer
•    Community choir

Just remember that all dogs must be kept on leads.

The culmination of the event takes place at 5pm with the creation of a Community Memory Tree. In a ceremony led by celebrant Victoria Spence, you’ll have the opportunity to celebrate your pets and what they bring to your life and honour all the animals who died in the floods and cyclone. Bring a photo of a pet you would like to remember to add to the Memory Tree, or you can make a memorial on the day (some materials will be available).

We hope to see you there!

•    Click here for more information, or call (02) 8899 3333. If you can’t make it to Callan Park on Sunday, you can still make a donation at www.awlnsw.com.au.

Image sourced from: awlnsw.com.au & blogs.citypages.com

In an unimaginable horror to anyone with a heart – let alone a dog at home – 100 sled dogs were allegedly shot and knifed by an employee of the companies ‘Outdoor Adventures Whistler’ and ‘Howling Dogs’, both sled-tour providers.

While the details are still uncertain, what is known is that the killings came to light after the employee in question claimed compensation for post-traumatic stress syndrome because of the nature of the killings.

According to documents in the possession of the SPCA of British Columbia, dogs were tethered and had to witness hours of brutality before the gun was turned on them, with scenes of unmentionable horror being described.

Peter Fricker from the Vancouver Humane society said, ‘We think as the public finds out more of the details of this case that they are going to be completely outraged.’

The killings allegedly took place in April, after the business and tourism boom produced by the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics died down.

While the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the SPCA are investigating the case, experts have warned that cruelty cases are often difficult to prosecute.

The case has shocked dog-lovers and animal rights groups around the world, and shone the spotlight on the sledding tourism industry itself.

‘We’d like to see the entire sled dog industry shut down,’ said Fricker. ‘Something like this can never happen again.’

Image sourced from: pups-seeking-homes.com and urbanitebaltimore.com

Ever wondered what your dog gets up to while you’re not home? It’s always interesting to imagine him walking around the house, king of his castle at last, free to poke his nose into whatever he wants to. They say that a Beagle’s nose will always get him into trouble – well in this scenario, it’s the hound’s whole body that manages to get him into mischief. After puzzling over how their new puppy kept getting out of his enclosure while they weren’t home, this dog’s owners set up a spy-cam to catch him in the act!

Hilarious… and very clever!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thumbnail image from macwallpapers.eu

Now you don’t have to leave your pooch at home when you head out for the evening…

Are you the type of dog owner who likes to take your pooch everywhere? Do you scour for dog-friendly beaches, holiday houses and cafes? If this sounds like you, then you’ll definitely be interested in Ford Fiesta’s Moonlight Cinema, an outdoor event that has a dedicated doggie night, so your four-legged friend can enjoy a trip to the movies as well!

Held in five capital cities around Australia, the Moonlight Cinema runs all summer and offers patrons the opportunity to experience movie-going in the great outdoors.

Once a season, the Moonlight Cinema opens its gates to our canine counterparts, and creates a special dog-friendly environment (no chocolate or macadamia nuts allowed on the premises!) for everyone to enjoy.

The Sydney dog-friendly night was held on Sunday 16 January – and it was certainly a sight to behold. Over 100 dogs were in attendance and they ranged from tiny teacup Chihuahuas to German Shepherds and Great Danes. The environment was friendly, hyper and at times hilarious, especially when a dog would bark on screen and send up a chorus of responses from the furry crowd.

It takes just a moment to fall in love with one of these giant puff-balls, but the effect is powerful and long-lasting. People who have owned Samoyeds are struck for life with a profound love of these intelligent, attractive and oh-so-cuddly canines.

History
Originating on the frozen tundra of Russia and Siberia, the Samoyed derives its name from the native Samoyed tribes of Siberia, who were the first people to develop the breed. Originally used for herding reindeer and pulling sleds, the Samoyed were not particularly known for their hunting ability, although there are mixed and unsubstantiated reports of Samoyed packs protecting tribes from Polar Bear attacks!

The Samoyed’s loyalty and intelligence was noted by early explorers and they were used in historic Polar expeditions. According to the website for D’keta Samoyeds, a prominent US breeder and Samoyed researcher:

‘The polar expeditions demonstrated the versatility and true working nature of the Samoyed and the contributions made by the Samoyeds are unmatched in the canine world. Samoyeds featured prominently in the Arctic and Antarctic polar expeditions of Abruzzi, Amundson, Jackson-Harmsworth, Nansen, and Shackelton between 1870 and 1912. Dogs were procured from Siberia for the expeditions and were called ‘Samoyeds’ as they came from the land where the Samoyede tribe lived. With the passing of time, the ‘e’ was dropped from ‘Samoyede’.’

Appearance
Looking at a Samoyed, you have no doubt as to its Arctic origins. A thick, puffy double coat of pure white is most common, but ‘cream’ and ‘biscuit’ have also been added to the official breed standard.

The Samoyed is medium in build, but appears to be a much thicker dog due to its immense coat. The most interesting aspect of a Samoyed coat is its ability to stay clean and dry. Their double coat has a Teflon-like consistency, which means most dirt just brushes right out, and apart from a thorough weekly brushing (more when they drop their winter coat, usually once or twice a year) they are surprisingly low maintenance.

The nature of their coat also means that there is no ‘doggy’ smell, something many owners have remarked upon!

Temperament
Samoyeds are affectionate, intelligent and easy-going, and are highly trainable. While their size might make them unintentionally dangerous for very small children (accidentally knocking them over is the main concern), they are wonderful with kids and it is said that one of their original jobs in the freezing temperatures of Siberia was to keep the tribe’s children warm at night. Better than any teddy-bear, we say!

This adorable and striking breed are family dogs in every sense of the word. Invite one into your family and you will be rewarded by a huge, fluffy ball of adoration whose loyalty will never waver.

Image sourced from: Wallpaper web and Daily Puppy