Tag: dog’
Caerphilly: Baby in hospital after dog attack
I’m a dog expert – the breeds to avoid at all costs if you live in a city
CITY dwellers may love dogs just as much as their suburban counterparts, but not all pups are cut out for apartment life.
One veterinarian has pointed out that there are a few breeds that require more attention and exercise than most busy, working adults can handle.
A veterinarian has pointed out that there are a few breeds that require more attention and exercise than most busy, working adults can handle[/caption]
Potential pet owners are often instructed to do their research in order to find a dog that’s personality and genetic tendencies matches well with their lifestyle.
People who are away from home often should keep in mind that some breeds that have higher rates of separation anxiety and need to be played with often.
These five dog breed groups are least suited for absentee parents, according to canine expert, Mark Dos Anjos.
Sled Dogs
Between their beautiful coats and wisdom-filled eyes, the Siberian Husky and other sled dogs are certainly a tempting choice for animal lovers.
However, Huskies are also bred to work, pulling sleds through heavy snow and difficult terrain.
“Bored Siberians are prone to many behavioral problems,” remarked Dos Anjos.
The dog behavior specialist has seen people attempting to deal with Huskies that are escape artists, excessive chewers, or professional yard diggers.
While he loves the breed, he said that he has also seen many cases where Huskies were brought to the shelter to be put down after their owners realized they were not equipped to care for them.
Herding Breeds
For people ready to throw a frisbee and take their dogs out on long hikes, or farmers in need of a helping paw, herding dogs might be the perfect fit.
Herding breeds, such as Border Collies, love to have a job and need an outlet for their excessive energy.
Unfortunately, these fast-paced and quick-witted dogs are probably not the best choice for urban families that don’t have much space.
“If you cannot interact with your dog all day long and do not have livestock for him to take care of, this herding dog is not a good breed to adopt,” noted Dos Anjos.
Dos Anjos suggests that people think twice before taking in a dog that is constantly looking for its next task.
Hunting Breeds
Some dogs simply need more attention than others.
The Weimaraner, which is a member of the hunting dog breed group, is probably not best for most people who are away from their homes.
“They are prone to separation anxiety, and like many hunting dogs, are known as a ‘Velcro’ breed,” explained Dos Anjos.
Velcro breeds need consistent care from their owners, which is something that is not accessible for many people who work nine-hour long days.
Dos Anjos warns that when hunting dogs are left home alone with nothing to do, they can become rather disruptive.
He encourages avid hunters to adopt this type of dog.
Livestock Guard Dogs
Labs might seem like the perfect laid-back pooch for a preoccupied couple.
However, the breed was designed to guard livestock, and their intelligence makes them prone to a few extra needs.
Dos Anjos does admit that labs have been the most popular breed in the world, year after year. However, that does not mean they are for everyone.
“Labs are intelligent. Maybe too much so,” he writes. “Like many intelligent dogs that have nothing to do during the day, labs are prone to separation anxiety,” revealed Dos Anjos.
The dog expert believes that labs are best off with larger families that can keep their pups entertained.
Guard Dogs
Guard dogs and watchdogs are wonderful creatures when given proper training, however, not all pet owners can commit to their needs.
Dos Anjos says that German Shepards, in particular, are known for their incredible loyalty to their owners.
Yet, Shepards are also very needy and perform best when they are given one-on-one attention from their masters.
“Many people adopt one of these dogs and then do not bother with even the most basic training. They expect their German Shepherd to sit around the house and be as happy as any small lap dog,” Dos Anjos notes.
For people ready to sign up for some training classes, the German Shepard may become a great surveillance system and worthy companion.
Shepards are also very needy and perform best when they are given one-on-one attention from their masters[/caption]
Labs were designed to guard livestock, and their intelligence makes them prone to a few extra needs[/caption]
The dog behavior specialist has seen people attempting to deal with Huskies that are escape artists, excessive chewers, or professional yard diggers[/caption]
The Weimaraner, which is a member of the hunting dog breed group, is probably not best pick for most people who are away from their homes often[/caption]
From a quiet dog to a lonely Siamese kitten – your pet queries answered
HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.
Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years. He says: “If your pet is acting funny or is under the weather, or you want to know about nutrition or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy.”
Sean helps a lonely Siamese kitten called George[/caption]
Sean McCormack, head vet at tails.com, promises he can ‘help keep pets happy and healthy’[/caption]
Q) MY rat Rob used to be very vocal but now he’s a year old he rarely squeaks.
Is that something I should be concerned about?
He is lively, doesn’t seem down in the dumps and eats well.
BRIAN COCHRANE, Aberdeen
Sean says: I wouldn’t worry, I think this is just the enthusiasm of youth fading slowly, now that Rob the rat is moving into middle age. I feel his pain, I used to be a lot more lively, vocal and fun too!
Got a question for Sean?
SEND your queries to vet@the-sun.co.uk
Q) I’VE tried to stop my dog Mella biting her front claws.
She’s always doing it, and I don’t know why. Any advice?
RICHARD BERTIN, Barry
Sean says: Get her checked by your vet, to put it bluntly.
Without examining the claws I can’t tell if they are brittle, the nail bed is inflamed, whether it may be joint pain in Mella’s digits, a fungal infection, or perhaps a referred itch due to environmental or food allergies.
She really needs a full physical exam to figure it out. Maybe they are just long and need trimming.
Q) FOR the past 17 years our two Siamese kittens have grown up together, eaten together and slept in the same cat basket day and night.
They were inseparable. Sadly, a couple of weeks ago we had to put Ozzy to sleep as he was very unwell.
Since then, George has stopped purring completely and he walks between rooms meowing very loudly. We know he misses Ozzy, but is there anything we can do to make his life a little easier in his old age?
DAVID POTTER, Stourbridge
Sean says: That’s very sad. I’m sorry to hear it. People are often surprised to hear of pets grieving, but of course they form close bonds with their comrades and human companions.
Sadly, we can’t help them through their grief by explaining coping strategies. We just need to ensure they get lots of TLC and be patient. In time they tend to get back to normal.
Basically, my advice is to spoil George with his favourite things for a while and allow him to come to terms with losing his buddy Ozzy.
Q) MY brother has rescued a seven-year-old bulldog from someone who could no longer care for it.
Albert has a wonderful temperament and is happy. The only problem is he seems to have an issue with his eyes, which weep a sticky yellow discharge and need constant wiping.
They also look opaque and cloudy, although he doesn’t appear to have problems seeing.
My brother is a pensioner and he cannot afford large vet bills. I would happily take the dog to the vets, but couldn’t commit to a long-term financial outlay. I would very much appreciate your advice, as I feel so sorry for this lovely dog.
JOSEPHINE COTTINGHAM, Finedon, Northants
Sean says: The first thing to say is that “rescuing” a dog that needs veterinary attention when there aren’t the finances available to provide it is not actually in the animal’s best interest.
Secondly, bulldogs often come with a huge range of health problems due to breeding. They often get surrendered to rescue centres when they start to incur high vet bills.
Eye problems are painful and a serious welfare issue so I would suggest at least bringing Albert to the vet for an initial assessment and an idea of costs going forward.
I commend your brother for giving Albert another chance, but if he’s going to have ongoing veterinary care expenses that he can’t afford, I’d recommend finding an alternative home for him, as hard as that might be to accept.
Star of the week
Boris feels underdressed if he doesn’t go out in his sunglasses[/caption]
BORIS the dog loves wearing a statement outfit for walkies.
The seven-year-old Goldendoodle feels underdressed if he doesn’t go out in his sunglasses, a jaunty hat – or even his favourite pink wig.
Owner Jill Dougherty, 39, of Edinburgh said: “It all started when he was a pup as my two boys Ray, four, and six-year-old Frank love fancy dress – and Boris loved getting involved.
“Now when we take him for walkies he waits for his sunglasses or hat – his tail wags like crazy as soon as we put them on him. His bright pink wig is a favourite.”
WIN: backpack
ECO-backpack brand Kovered has launched a new range of bags which are perfect for walks with your pup.
For a chance to win the ReKovered collection of a black drawstring bag, roll-top backpack and weekend holdall worth £250, send an email headed KOVERED with your name, address and phone number to sundaypets@the-sun. co.uk by May 14.
See kovered.co.uk. T&Cs apply.
Humans, get the rid cattitude
FOUR in five cat owners wish they could be more like their pets, so they can live their best life, a survey found.
It revealed that 82 per cent aspire to have more feline qualities – being independent, carefree, playful and mischievous.
Gemma Collins recently added pet Snowybelle to her family[/caption]
The Reality TV star said ‘she is everything I love in a cat’[/caption]
When each quality was broken down, 43 per cent wished for more confidence. Another 30 per cent want to adopt the qualities of a cat as they were lacking a carefree attitude, and 21 per cent said they wished they had more ambition.
These are all qualities that pet food company Felix, which carried out the poll, describes as “cattitude”.
Reality TV star Gemma Collins – known for brimming with confidence, and who recently added pet Snowybelle to her family – said: “She is everything I love in a cat: Mischievous, fun, playful and independent, full of character, and fabulous just like me. And that’s why I love her so much. We are just so alike.
“If people tried being more like a cat, they’d be a lot more chilled out.
“Say no to the things you don’t want to do, say yes to being more playful and adventurous. The confidence will then come”.
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Miracle dog who picked out a 22 million-to-one donor is now a therapy hound
THE hero hound who picked out a 22 million-to-one donor is now a therapy dog.
Lucy Humphrey’s pet doberman Indie introduced her to kidney match Katie James on a beach, we told yesterday.
Lucy Humphrey, left, and kidney donor Katie James with Indie[/caption]
Lucy said: ‘She’s brought so much happiness to us, and now she’s helping others. People feel better after stroking dogs’[/caption]
She is now part of the Dobermans For Therapy group which visits hospitals and nursing homes.
Lucy, 44, said: “She’s brought so much happiness to us, and now she’s helping others. People feel better after stroking dogs.”
We revealed Indie would not leave Katie, 40, alone on a day at the beach in Barry, South Wales.
It led to an apology from Lucy, who needed a new kidney after suffering from lupus for 15 years.
Getting chatting, she discovered Katie just joined the donor register, and turned out to be a perfect match.
Lucy, from Caerphilly, revealed she celebrated getting her new kidney last October with a G&T on her 44th birthday.
She said: “It was absolutely amazing.”
Lucy and partner Cenydd Owen, 49, take Indie, and their other doberman Dave, to local therapy sessions.
She said: “I hope she can work her magic on other people — she’s a real miracle dog.”
Kelly Gale wows in sexy bubble gum pink bikini before posing for seaside pic with her pet rescue dog
KELLY Gale blows fans away in her bubble-gum pink bikini.
The model, 27, was posing in a two-piece from a Victoria’s Secret swimwear range.
Kelly Gale modelled a pink two-piece from Victoria’s Secret[/caption]
And she also pawsed to have a seaside photo at sunset with her dog Zoe.
She adopted the hound in 2020 with actor partner Joel Kinnaman, 43.
The Swedes got engaged a year later and are expected to wed in Australia.
Kelly also turned her hand to acting in recent action film Plane.
So she’s off to a flyer.
Last month the model stunned fans as she posed in a blue bikini for a photoshoot.
She wore the two-piece from Italian fashion brand Yamamay before heading on holiday with her Suicide Squad actor fiancé Joel Kinnaman.