Origin:
One of the oldest spaniels known, the English Cocker Spaniel was originally known as the general spaniel and the only one recorded as being imported into England many centuries ago. They were then separated into 7 different individual spaniel breeds. These were; - English Springer - Cocker Spaniel - Clumber Spaniel - Sussex Spaniel - Welsh Springer Spaniel - Field Spaniel - Irish Water Spaniel All of which are still well-known and kept breeds todays. It was not until 1946 that the Cocker Spaniel was first recognised as two separate breeds, being the American and English Cocker Spaniel. Their name comes from the bird the Woodcock, a bird that the breed was fantastic at flushing out, leading them to be named the ‘Cocker’ Spaniel. Purpose: The Cocker Spaniel was breed for a working dog. They were used as hunting gun dogs and were able to travel easily through wet and dry land and harsh environments. Their key talent is to flush out and retrieve game very gently and without damage. Along with hunting and retrieving, the Cocker is also great at agility and obedience work as well as making a brave watchdog. Coat care: The Cocker Spaniel can be kept in full coat, breed cut or trimmed all over. When kept in full or breed coat, they will require daily brushing, sometimes twice daily, to avoid matting especially around their pants and underbelly. Being low to the ground they can pick up burrs and twigs very easily. They can also matt very easily on their feet and between their toes so special focus should be made on these areas too. Their long ears can also pick up grass seeds easily so should be checked after being out in any areas of long grass. They can also hold a lot of moisture so should also be checked often for signs of infection. They should be bathed only as needed. Health & Temperament: Don’t let their small side fool you, the Cocker Spaniel is a strong, sturdy and very smart little dog. Being bred as a working dog, they love to run and play and need a decent daily walk at a minimum. They can be very gentle with their family and love to play, making them great with children. When well socialised from a young age, they make for a very confident dog who enjoys being around other people, dogs and cats. They thrive on plenty of physical and mental stimulation as well as having rules and boundaries in place, to avoid any dominance issues. They are a breed who can gain weight easily, so diet and exercise need to be well managed. They are often prone to ear infections so any Cocker owner needs to be confident in checking ears regularly and knowing the signs of an infection beginning. The breed has no serious hereditary issues and on average they live for 12 – 15 years.
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Origin:
The exact origin of the Chihuahua is somewhat unknown, with a number of theories floating around. Some believe they originated from China, others believe they were brought from the islands of Malta and then brought to Mexico. Another theory, and given their name this is the most popular, is that they originated in the town of Chihuahua in Mexico. They are recorded as the smallest breed in the world as well as the oldest breed on the American continent. The breed was considered sacred to Pre-Columbian Indian nations and were considered a sign of wealth or status for the upper class. Purpose: The Chihuahua was bred as a companion dog and a status symbol for the wealthy. Their level of devotion and protection of their owners led for them to have a level of spiritual significance for the Aztec’s, who believed a Chihuahua could guide souls through the afterlife with protection. Coat care: The Chihuahua comes in two coat options, short or long hair. The short haired coat offers easy maintenance that can be brushed every so often or as needed and wiped over with a baby wipe or damp cloth as required. The long coat will require daily brushing, focusing under the arms and around the ears to avoid small knots. They can also be wiped over as needed to remove any mess from the coat. The Chihuahua requires bathing only when extremely dirty. They can be prone to ear infections so water should be avoided around the ears. Health & Temperament: Don’t let their tiny frame fool you, the Chihuahua is full of personality and energy. They are active little dogs who require daily walks and will also enjoy playtimes with their family. The Chihuahua is a breed that immediately from a young age require boundaries and good socialisation, to avoid neurotic issues, aggression, anxiety issues and small dog syndrome. They are a fantastic companion dog who is fiercely protective and loyal. Although this can be cute, it can lead to a dog that will bite, so needs to be managed from a young age. A well socialised and confident Chihuahua is happy to play and interact with other dogs. They have a poor reputation with children and can be known for being snappy, however this is only because of the way they are raised. Chihuahuas, along with other toy breeds of dogs, are often treated more as babies instead of dogs and this leads to serious behavioural issues. If raised with boundaries and treated like a dog that is a member of the family, not a human, a Chihuahua can be a very well behaved, loving pet. Unfortunately, as the Chihuahua is prized for it’s tiny size and over the years has been bred, interbred and cross bred to create a teeny tiny dog, the Chihuahuas of today can sadly have an array of health issues. This includes eye issues, central nervous system issues, gum problems as well as knee, joint and muscle issues. It’s essential to do your research into breeders and view their breeding dog’s health history prior to purchasing a puppy. All Chihuahua owners should be well educated in the health issues that can occur with breed, so they can be aware of signs and begin treatment as it’s needed, for a happy and healthy dog. Origin:
The Japanese Spitz is another breed with somewhat unknown origins. All of their physical aspects point to them simply being a smaller version of a Samoyed, leading some to believe they are direct decedents of the native Siberian Samoyed. Other's claim they originated in Japan and have been bred by using white German Spitz's. They became incredibly popular in Japan in the 1950's, leading to their name and have since grown popularity in Europe, North America and Australia. Purpose: As their originating story is very much unknown, there are no clear answers on what the purpose of creating the Japanese Spitz was. No records confirm any type of working jobs for the breed and instead point to them being bred as the ideal companion dog. Coat care: The Japanese Spitz requires a good, daily brush. They are a very clean dog, with their white coat repelling dirt and mess very well. To keep this ability, they should only be bathed when absolutely necessary. They require extra attention when shedding. Health & Temperament: The Japanese Spitz is a very playful, happy dog. They are happy to please, making training easy and love interaction with people. They will happily play games and run all day long. They do well with agility and like to be kept busy. In general, when well socialised from a young age, they do well with children, other dogs and other household pets. They are considered a very healthy breed of dog, with no serious hereditary issues and can live for 14+ years. Origin: Their name is a bit of a giveaway – the PWD originated in Portugal. The breed was created from mixing a number of working dogs from the Iberian Peninsula, to create the perfect dog companion for fisherman. Purpose: The PWD was used as a working dog for fisherman and were capable of many different tasks including herding and catching fish, transporting messages between ships as well as retrieving items from the water. Coat care: When in full coat, the PWD requires a good brush every few days. A distinct clip the PWD are known for is the ‘lion clip.’ Originally this was used to help them move through water and dry quickly, with fur only kept around their vital organs to avoid them suffering in the cold water. They are a great option for allergy sufferers as they as considered a hypo-allergenic dog. Their coat is slow growing and does not require frequent clipping. Health & Temperament: The PWD is a great family pet. They are a fun loving dog who is loyal to their pack. They have plenty of energy to burn and can be very playful but also very relaxed and calm natured when their needs are met. As their name is history suggests, they love water! Water play and exercise included in their routine will keep them very happy and pleased. They are very intelligent and easy to train, responding best to calm pack leader. The breed isn’t prone to many health issues although hip dysplasia can occur. Their average life span is between 10 – 14 years. Mickey! Mickey, an adorable young Cavoodle holds the crown for July 2022. One look into Mickey's eyes say it all, he melts hearts! Mickey LOVES everyone and everything, his tail is always wagging and he is always smiling!
Congratulations Mickey! As we roll into another month it's time to announce our next Dog of the Month. Our March Dog of the Month for 2022 is...... Fizo! This beautiful old gentleman is Fizo, an absolute sweetheart who loves his cuddles and snuggling into his bed.
He is the perfect poster boy for this month. Congratulations Fizo! As we welcome in 2022 it's time to announce our first Dog of the month for year. Our January Dog of the Month for 2022 is...... Steve! Beautiful Steve the Aussie Shepherd is recovering from a foot injury and has been the best little patient and most well behaved boy!
We are so proud of his progress which makes him very fitting to be our Dog of the Month. Steve's favourite part of the day is being with the Doggy Doaters, enjoying his back and neck scratches and then snoozing on his bed with the TV on. Congratulations Steve - you are so close to the end of your recovery now, almost there! Brodie! Congratulations to our last Dog of the Month for 2021. Brodie the beautiful Cavalier. Typical to the breed, Brodie is a big sweet heart. He adores cuddles... and treats! We are very excited that he gets to wear the crown to ring out 2021!
Congratulations to...... Tom! Cheeky little Tom is your typical Jack Russell, full of energy and personality and always ready to play.
Tom loves chasing toys, cuddles and play times with his friends. He is the perfect poster boy for our August Dog of the month for 2021! The Dachshund, pronounced “dak -sund” also known as the Sausage Dog or Weiner Dog, is a small dog, with short legs and a long body. The name Dachshund is of German orient and means “Badger Dog”.
Dachshunds originated in Germany and were used to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals like rabbits. Their short legs, long snouts and deep chests enabled them to run fast, and have plenty of stamina whilst hunting. Dachshunds also have quite loose skin, to ensure that they didn’t tear their skin whilst tunneling in constricted burrows. Dachshunds come in three different sizes, standard, miniature and rabbit, however the “rabbit” size is not recognised in some countries. They have three different types of coats, the shorthaired, longhaired or wirehaired. The Dachshunds coats come in many different colours, 15 to be exact! Some of them are Red, Black & Tan, Chocolate, Dapple, Sable and Fawn to name a few. The first sign of a Dachshund traces all the way back to ancient Egypt where there have been etchings found of short legged hunting dogs, and up until recently when this was just a myth, there have now been mummified Dachshund like dogs found in burial urns. Dachshunds are a traditionally viewed as the symbol of Germany, and were frequently used in propaganda during WWI and WWII, causing their popularity to drop dramatically. In 1972 at the Munich Games, the Dachshund became the first ever Olympic Mascot, his name was Waldi, and the route for the marathon event was even designed to resemble Waldi. Health wise, the Dachshund are prone to back injuries due to their long spine and short rib cage. Dachshunds should not jump on and off furniture and their weight should be well maintained to ensure that these injuries are less likely to occur. Dachshunds are lovely, loyal dogs, they are playful but can at times be known to be stubborn, and can be known to be aggressive towards strangers. Despite their small stature they are very courageous and will take on animals that are much bigger than they are! A Dachshund owner needs to be firm and persistent when it comes to their training. Dachshunds are recommended for families with older children, who can assist in the training and keeping the “pack mentality” going. With the correct leadership they will get along well with children and other pets. If you think a Dachshund would make the perfect pet for you and your family, you will not regret it, they are truly wonderful companions. |
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