Why you shouldn't shave your double coated dog.

 It is the height of summer for the northern hemisphere, and I have seen lots of dogs who have had a 'haircut' for the season, including a couple of Huskies.. which surprised me greatly, as huskies are double coated dogs, and by shaving off those coats, you can cause more harm than good.  
this link explains it better, share it round and if you ever hear of a groomer offering to shave a double coated dog, please put them straight. 
 
http://www.examiner.com/article/why-you-shouldn-t-shave-your-double-coated-dog

Beagles see sun and grass for the first time after a life in a laboratory.

 Tissues at the ready...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFtJeKojFfI

A Problem With Your Dog's Food

One of the most basic functions of a dog is to eat. Nothing complicated about that you may think. However, many dogs harbour a hidden problem in that they suffer from a food intolerance or a food allergy. So how do you know?

Food intolerance will probably cause vomiting, diarrhoea or a generally upset stomach. The symptoms of an allergy usually include itchy skin or even raw spots on the skin and may also include weight loss, loss of energy, hyperactivity or even a personality change. These conditions are quite different, but they can both be caused by food.

Many dog owners do not realise there is a problem  and pass off the symptoms "as something the dog has eaten". The fact that it is "something else" will become apparent when the symptoms fail to clear up over a period of 5/6days. In fact, about 10% of dogs now have some sort of allergy or intolerance to normal dog food.(and our "human" food)

If you think your dog may have a food intolerance or allergy, it is necessary to have your dog tested by your vet to establish which ingredient of the food is causing the symptoms. This usually requires a special controlled diet lasting up to twelve weeks. Common ingredients that cause problems are wheat, beef, pork, chicken,fish soya and dairy products,

Once the offending ingredient has been identified you will have to find food that does not include the ingredient. This is not as difficult as it may first appear. Many of the well known quality dog food suppliers can provide suitable feed although it will be a little more expensive than standard feed.

If your dog has a problem with it's food remember that this applies to every thing you give it to eat including "treats" for good behaviour. (We know that followers of this blog would not feed their dogs "scraps from the table !!!!!!)

When changing to a new diet, do it gradually over a period of several days after which you and your dog should be able to settle down to a more normal feeding routine.

Take care out there

The Cost Of Your Dog

During these difficult times for those on a limited budget, the cost of caring for a dog can become overwhelming.

Many people do not realise the cost of feeding and maintaining their pet in a healthy condition. Research from Tesco Pet Insurance showed that your dog can cost you £600 per year and take over 600 hours of care.

The main single expense is the cost of veterinary services. These worked out at an average of £200 per year. For those unfortunate enough to have a dog with a chronic health condition, vets fees can add another £600 per year or worse.

Head of Tesco Pet Insurance, Colin Campbell, stated that it was important that prospective pet owners should consider these costs before committing to a new dog. They should plan ahead for vet's bills to ensure they take out adequate insurance against injury and illness because these could cost "thousands" in the extreme cases.