We have all heard of dogs, such as Endal, the CPI dog and winner of K9 Magazine’s Coolest Canine of the Year 2003. There is also the great work that Guide Dogs do, and of course let’s not forget the Search and Rescue Dogs. However, folklore is full of many wonderful stories of dogs showing the utmost dedication and loyalty to their owners. I would like to tell you about one of the most devoted hounds in history. An Irish Wolf-hound to be precise.

Gelert – The Royal Dog of Wales.

The Story of Canine Loyalty

There is a beautiful rural village in Wales, knows as Beddgelert. Thousands of visitors from all over the world flock to this gorgeous village and although it is loved for its ornate gardens and pretty cottages, there is a special reason as to why it is so popular. A dog. Yes, that’s right, the special reason is all to do with a remarkable dog and is truly one of the greatest legends in Wales. It is a story that warms the heart of dog lovers everywhere.

Gelert was actually a very regal dog for he was born at the castle of King John of England in the 13th Century. He became a constant companion to Prince Llywelyn who ruled a part of Wales, hundreds and hundreds of years ago. As a puppy, Gelert was given to the Prince as a wedding present when he married the King’s daughter. Gelert grew to be a very brave but courteous hunting dog and he was well known for his faithfulness.

As time went on, the Prince became fonder of his dog and he would very rarely be seen from his side. In no time at all, the Prince made Gelert the leader of his pack of hounds, as there was no other hound to match his persistence and strength.

A year later, the Prince’s wife gave birth to the heir to the throne and everybody seemed absolutely besotted by the newborn baby. This had an immediate impact on Gelert and he began to lie by the baby’s cot, day and night. He refused to accompany the Prince on his days out hunting and preferred to spend his time guarding the baby, as he lay sleeping. The prince, although missing his beloved companion, understood Gelert’s need to protect the family and didn’t demand that the dog went with him. The prince knew that at the end of the day, Gelert would always be waiting at the castle gates upon his return.

One day, the Prince rode up to the castle and as usual he saw Gelert waiting for him. However, the dog had blood on his coat and face. The Prince automatically thought that the dog had been hurt and he ran to see the extent of Gelert’s injuries. As soon as the Prince got near him, Gelert ran off into the castle and led the Prince to his son’s bedroom. Once there, he discovered an overturned cot with no sign of the baby, at all. The baby’s blankets were covered in blood. The heartbroken Prince hastily jumped to the conclusion that Gelert had been overcome with jealousy and killed the baby whilst the Prince was away hunting. In a sudden fit of rage, the Prince drew his sword and killed Gelert. Gelert’s dying cry was answered by the cry of a child. The Prince, upon hearing the cry of a baby, dropped to his knees and began to weep.

The Prince looked underneath the overturned cot and found his small son underneath it, where he was totally unharmed and had been blissfully asleep under the blankets on the floor. The Prince, cradling his son, spotted the tail of an animal underneath one of the blood stained blankets and upon investigation he found the dead body of a wolf. The body of the wolf that had been killed by Gelert and the body of the wolf that would have killed and attacked the baby had Gelert not been there.

The Prince was full of remorse and in a bid to show how proud he was of his faithful canine, he buried the dog in a field in the grounds of his castle and he held a ceremony for all to worship the loyalty of the Irish Wolf-hound, Gelert. It is stated that the Prince visited the place often and ordered that the place should be known in the future as Beddgelert, meaning the “grave of Gelert”, in memory of his beloved dog. He erected two large stones, one at the dog’s head and one at the dog’s feet. The prince, also, built a church close by as an offering to god for saving his son. The village of Beddgelert grew up around the church and the grave. It is said the Prince never smiled again.

Although a fairly sad story, the legend of brave Gelert has had its hold on generations of dog lovers from all over the world. It is a tale that touches the hearts of thousands as they make their way to the hallowed spot where Gelert is buried. The loyalty of Gelert lives on in the hearts of all our dogs, which makes it one more reason to celebrate the loyalty of a dog.

Do you think that the dog is the most loyal animal on this planet we call Earth? Judging by the legendary story of Gelert, K9 Magazine certainly thinks so.

Take the dog information loyalty test!

Question One

The BBC Television Show ‘To Catch a Thief’ featuring two ex-cons, now reformed, visits your home. They ask you to take part. Unknowing to them you have a dog (sneaky). When the bald brummie guy breaks in, does

A)Your dog lick his lips, look at the bald head staring before him and think ‘hmmm marathon licking session ahead’
B)Your dog open one eye, look up from the comfort of the fireplace and upon seeing who it is, think ‘it’s only that bald brummie guy from BBC’s ‘To Catch A Thief’
C)Your dog embark on a vicious barking campaign, salivating at the mouth and take home a trophy of the bald brummie guy’s trousers as he escapes through the door.

Question Two

You are on fire (it’s a long story and we haven’t got the time to listen) but you are on fire. Being on fire isn’t a good thing. Your dog, spies a plate of sausages in the kitchen that are crying out ‘eat me, eat me’. To the left of him, he sees you alight and rushing round the room trying to stamp out your flames and to the right of him he sees those ‘eat me, eat me’ crying sausages, does

A)Your dog look at you, head cocked, before dashing off to the kitchen to feast on some sausages, flicking the door shut with his tail so that he can’t hear your screams and he can plead that he didn’t know you were on fire.
B)Your dog act like the super dog he is and head off to the kitchen where he enjoys a plateful of sausages, before somehow miraculously filling a bucketful of water from the kitchen sink and join you in the room where he proceeds to dowse you in wet, fire-hating water.
C)Your dog, giving up his hunger pangs, rush to your aid where he dampens down the flames with his saliva spraying technique (in a matter of seconds if he’s a boxer) saving you from having the embarrassment of having no eyebrows.

Question Three

You are being burgled again (how unlucky). However, this time it is not part of a BBC Television programme, it is the real thing. The burglar, complete with swag bag, black and white striped top and a lone ranger mask enters your house. Having done his homework he realises that you are a sucker for the finest cut of silverside beef. He offers it to you, does

A)Your dog grab it with both paws, and with a thank you expression in his eyes, points out that the safe is behind the picture of the dogs playing snooker.
B)Your dog, having had a feast of sausages recently, accept the beef only to whack the burglar on the back of the legs as he heads off to steal your owner’s collection of Anna Nicole Smith videos.
C)Your dog, fresh from a haul of sausages chase the man out of the room and left into the burnt out room where he trips over you, while you are recovering from your burns to your eyebrows. The burglar bangs his head on the radiator and is arrested by the police after you run to the local police station and bark like something out of Skippy – The Bush Kangaroo.

Question Four

Whilst on a walk out in the countryside, you spy a couple of nice looking ladies walking their dogs. Being the flirty single guy that you are, you smile and you hold your stomach in as you pass by, but does

A)Your dog realise that you are in a flirtatious, stomach holding position and because he was dragged out by you when Lorraine Kelly was on, and also as he is oblivious to your actions, he assumes the sitting position and you drag him by the backside not akin to his actions after doing your business.
B)Your dog, spying a couple of nice looking bitches (and I mean the canine variety), and being the flirty single dog that he is, smile and hold his stomach in as you both pass by.
C)Your dog, having had a traumatic week in which he has seen off two burglars, saved your eyebrows from being burnt right off, and forsaken a plateful of sausages and a cut of beef, decides that he just wants to walk and walk and walk. Gathering up speed with each step, your smile and stomach holding pose turn to an expression of shock and the reappearance of your beer belly as you are whisked off, by your dog, into the next field.

If you answered A, B or indeed C to the four questions then you are a fun loving dog owner, who sees the funny side of life.  You probably realised that after reading question one, this wasn’t a serious loyalty test. Given the time that you spend with your dog, you will already know that your dog is a loyal and loving companion to you and your family. Be warned though and look after your eyebrows.

The Loyalty of Dogs is a post from: Information About Dogs

Most dogs, other than the brachycephalics, can withstand exposure to the sun and rather high environmental temperature as long as they are free to move about. It is confinement, restraint, and excitement in hot weather that sets the stage for heat stress. The dog left inside a car in the sun, leashed to a post outside the supermarket, or held in a pen when there are other dogs nearby to excite it, is a prime candidate for this life-threatening emergency.

Symptoms range from panting with a hot dry tongue, bright red mucous membranes in the mouth, rapid heartbeat, and a hot, dry skin, to a dazed look, inability to stand, unconsciousness, and death. The body temperature may be between 106° and 110°F (41.1 °-43.3 °C). The chance of death increases in direct proportion to the length of time the body temperature remains that high. This is a true emergency.

If heat problems occur, remove the dog from the constraining environment to a cooler place, preferably indoors. Immediately, before anything else is done, telephone your veterinarian. If she is in, and you can get to her clinic quickly, go directly there. In the event travel time will be prolonged, she may advise you to start emergency treatment at home, under her telephone direction, and then bring your dog to the clinic. But suppose you cannot reach her by phone – you're camping out miles from a telephone, or she is on vacation and the nearest veterinarian is in another town at a considerable distance. You must take action at once!

The most urgent need is to lower the dog's body temperature. Immerse the entire body, except the head, in cold or ice water – bathtub, stream, river, or lake – anything that has or can hold cold water. Take care to support the dog so he doesn't collapse into the water. Massage the skin all over the body and flex and extend the legs one at a time. This will stimulate the flow of the cooled blood back to the heart, through the internal parts of the body and to the heat sensitive brain. If you have a rectal thermometer handy, check the temperature every seven to ten minutes until it reads 103 °F (39.4 °C).

Do not cool below that point. The dog should then be removed from the water and the temperature checked with the same frequency for at least three-quarters of an hour, to be sure it doesn't start to go up again. Once the temperature has remained stable for that period of time, take your dog as quickly as possible to a veterinarian somewhere. There are important medications which should be given to prevent the many serious complications which can follow heat stress.

Dogs and Heat Stroke is a post from: Information About Dogs

The Value of Dog Insurance

Let’s cover insurance before we talk about the vets.  There are insurance plans that you can purchase for dogs who require regular vet visits due to chronic health conditions.

Your dog might have specific conditions, due to its specific breed, and the best insurance plans will provide coverage regardless of genetic conditions that they might be inclined to have.   There are numerous options for selection, and depending on what your needs are, comprehensive coverage might be your best bet.

Routine and wellness coverage is the least expensive coverage and covers all sorts of preventive care items, such as teeth cleaning, spaying and neutering, vaccines, and annual checkups. Genetic condition coverage is one of the most expensive types of insurance.  It is also usually very condition specific—so make sure that you examine the policy closely.  Chronic condition coverage protects the pet owner from common chronic conditions such as diabetes or osteoarthritis.  Your final choice for selection is major medical canine insurance. This essentially has a low premium, high deductible, and covers emergency situations such as an accident.  Whatever your selection, make certain that you are sure that the policy meets your individual needs.

Now, what about selecting a vet? When you choose your vet, you should take as much care as you would selecting your family physician or specialist.  Just as each doctor is unique, so too is each vet.  Find out about the vaccination protocols.  Also, check the veterinarian’s connections to the local medical associations.  See what exactly they are doing to maintain their license.  If money is a concern for you, look into what the costs are for the veterinarian.  Some vets are higher priced than others, however this could be a problem for you.  Word of mouth is a good place to start when you look at what you want.  Ask people why they chose the vet that they use now.  Also, see if the hours in the office meet your schedule and what they have as far as emergency offerings.

Once you have selected several that you like and are considering, schedule a visit to check them out.  When you visit the vet, ask the doctor about your specific breed, if you have a dog with an unusual condition.  Also, find out what other services are provided.  Does the office provide grooming or boarding? If you have a need for this, you will want to find out about it.  Lastly, make sure that your dog is comfortable with the vet! This will be very important! Once you select the vet, if it is a multiple-vet office, make sure that your dog meets all of the veterinarians in the office. This will make your pet more comfortable with going to the office and getting the needed care.

How to Choose a Good Vet is a post from: Information About Dogs

First Aid For Dogs

Number 1) You should NEVER give your dog human medicine.  Your medicine is supposed to be for you, not your pet.  This can cause very serious side effects and cause your dog’s health in a very negative way.  You might end up giving your dog an overdose, and, in fact, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, are a leading cause of death in dogs.

[Get 100 dog health tips for your dog]

Do not give your pet any human medication.  Always consult with your doctor prior to giving your dog any medication.

Number 2) Know the top items that can poison your dog and keep them away from your dog.  Medicine is number 1, and we have already covered that.  Beyond that, there are other items that are common household items you should be aware of. Pesticides such as rat poisons might attract your dog.  Insecticides or pesticides outside your home, on the lawn, might be eaten by your dog.

They can cause internal bleeding and breathing difficulties.  There are many common food items included in this list as well: chocolate, onions and garlic, alcohol, grapes, avocados, and raisins are all problematic.  Know that typical responses to poison are dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, muscle tremors, and a swollen abdomen.  The final category to consider is household and garden plants.

Often, you might not think that they would be a problem, however, the truth is that they are very frequently toxic.  So keep the plants away from your dog as well.

Number 3) Know what you need to do to bandage your dog if he or she gets a small wound.  If your dog needs to be bandaged for a small wound, you will need cotton and gauze, adhesive bandages, and household sticky tape.  Clean and disinfect the wound, place a pad on it, and then layer the wound with a gauze bandage.  Follow this with a layer of tape and check for proper pressure.

Make sure that you check your dog’s bandages regularly and change them on schedule. The bandages need to be clean and you should protect them when your dog goes outside by covering them with plastic bags.

Number 4) Know the common dog injuries and how to treat them.  Common dog injuries include, but are not limited to:  paw injuries, dog tail injuries, and dog spinal injuries.  If your dog might have a spinal injury, it is very important that you act with caution.

Do not move the dog until you are certain of the extent of the injuries.  Dog tail injuries occur frequently, as dogs can get their tails caught in lots of different places.  Pus indicates that the wound is infected, and needs to be treated professionally.   Lastly, paw injuries are very common and if infected, must also be treated by a vet.

4 Essential Dog Health Tips is a post from: Information About Dogs

The Anatomy of a Dog

A dog’s anatomy is fairly easy to appropriate if you have any knowledge or familiarity with human anatomy.  This is because the internal structure is the same as ours.

photo credit: Caninest

Any very specific anatomical characteristics would vary by breed, and so we’ll just examine a basic overview of a dog’s anatomy.

The dog has a strong cardiovascular system interiorly, which allows it to both have a strong endurance and to also sprint and catch prey.  The dog’s skeleton gives it the ability to run and jump quickly, and in fact, their disconnected shoulder bones (they don’t have a collar bone like we do), allows them to have a greater stride length when they run and leap. Dogs, unlike humans, walk on all fours, and they have four toes that they walk on, in addition to a thumblike digit on their front legs.

Dog size varies by breed, as does the length of time it takes dogs’ skeletons to mature fully. The larger breeds, such as Mastiffs, can take up to a year and a half to mature, while the smaller breeds, such as toy dogs, can take only a few months to mature.

One interesting dog anatomical fact is that they do not regulate their body temperatures in the same way as humans.  We sweat or have goosebumps in part, to regulate our temperature. Dogs, on the other hand, tend to regulate their interior temperature by panting.  This occurs as the heat is transferred from the hottest place in the body.  It is actually much more effective than our sweating mechanism.

There is not much consistency among dog breeds regarding tails.  Some dogs have tails that are long, others tails that are short, while some dogs do not even have tails at all! The same is to be said for fur, wherein today there is a large amount of variety.  A dog’s coat can differ in its markings, textures, colors, etc.

A dog’s sense of smell and sense of hearing is much more attuned than that of humans.  Dogs can hear a much greater frequency range than humans can and they also have specialized ear shapes which allow them to better ascertain where a sound comes from and to hear sounds that come from much further away than what we humans here.  As for smell, we do not even begin to compare to our canine companions.  They have almost 50 times more cells that are sensitive to smell than we do! Some breeds in fact, are specially bred for their smelling capabilities!

Continuing our survey of the senses, dogs have different color vision than humans.  They basically can see what for us would be red-green color blindness sight.  The retina configurations in dogs and the eye shapes/dimensions vary by breed, just like many of the other physical characteristics.

Having a basic understanding of the working anatomy of your dog will make you a better owner! There is so much out there you can learn, don’t fail to inform yourself about your dog’s specifics!

Information About Canine Anatomy is a post from: Information About Dogs

Alertness is shown when the tail and the ears are held high. Fear is shown when the tail is tucked between the legs and he is defensive when the fur on the tail stands on end.

Slight, slow wags of the tail and laid back ears mean that the dog is curious about their surroundings. A happy or excited dog wags his tail substantially rapidly, and if the hips are pulled with the wagging, the message contains submission to a pack leader.

Expressions of the mouth show a dog’s mood. It might yawn or lick its mouth when it wants to be left alone, is sleepy, confused or stressed. It may pant with relaxed lips covering the teeth or with the mouth open when it is happy or wants to play. A snarl with retracted lips and bared teeth and fangs is a sign of aggression or violence. A vicious snarl showing all the teeth is a warning that when someone comes closer, he will attack.

A raised eyebrow may imply interest while lowered brows indicate confusion or mild anger. One eyebrow raised may suggest confusion. Eyes narrowed to slits may signify fondness for someone he is looking at. Half moon eyes means the dog wants to be left alone.

Leaning of a dog’s head to the right or to the left sometimes indicates an interest for a newly heard sound that he is trying to understand. Alternately stamping the left and right foot whilst the hind legs are still shows excitement, or need for attention.

Playful or excited barks are short and sharp. A stressed dog’s bark is high pitched and rhythmic that tends to go soar in pitch as he becomes more disturbed.

Growls should be observed carefully as it is used as warning, threat or to invite fun and games. A soft, low-pitched growl can mean that the dog is threatened and may attack. A powerful growl without showing teeth may indicate an invitation to play. Be very careful and exercise prudence when a dog growls

Howling is a sign of separation anxiety, like when his owner is away or to make long distance communicate with other dogs. Dogs howl when they hear sirens or other loud noises as a response to what they interpret as another howl.

A whine is a high pitched noise produced through the nose with the mouth shut that means that the dog wants something or needs attention. A whimper or a yelp is a sign that the dog is in pain. A whimper accompanied by licking, jumping and barking means a strong excitement as when he sees his master coming. A whimper has lower volume, is softer and higher pitched than the bark.

It is important to observe not only the dog’s vocalization or body movement, but to relate all of the evident signs that the dog is trying to convey to understand his moods and feelings.

Understanding Canine Communication is a post from: Information About Dogs

Understanding Canine Intelligence

There are several aspects of human intelligence which could be measured as verbal ability, numerical ability, logical reasoning, memory, etc.

Dog intelligence has likewise different aspects including three major dimensions.

Instinctive Intelligence

This refers to the dog’s inborn instincts which are specific to their breed. Some dog breeds have the instinctive intelligence to guard or watch over things or to round up livestock, some are born to retrieve or fetch, some dogs are born to pursue or to track, while companion dogs are more sensitive to human moods to provide comfort and can easily grasp social signals.  Each dog has its own instinctive intelligence which should not be compared with dogs of other breeds because their inherent abilities and intellect are too diverse for comparison.

Adaptive Intelligence

Adaptive intelligence is a dimension of a dog’s intelligence that is basically measured by what a dog can learn for himself. This includes its survival instincts that adapts to its environment as it learns through experience, solving new problems, facing danger, and so on.

Adaptive intelligence can differ among individual dogs even those in the same breed.

While all Golden Retrievers have the same instinctive intelligence, their adaptive intelligence differ, sometimes in very diverse ways. The matter of disparity in adaptive intelligence between dogs of the same breed can be measured by using suitable tests.

Working and Obedience Intelligence

This is the intellectual ability of dogs to follow or respond to human instructions or commands, also called social intelligence of dogs. It is the school-learning ability of a dog and is based upon what he can learn to do from humans. It could be possible to rank dog breeds in terms of their working and obedience intelligence if done objectively and without bias.

Dog breeds have been ranked on the basis of their Working and Obedience Intelligence and while those dogs ranked as intelligent can learn everything taught to it, it also has the ability to learn everything else besides, which means that more time will be spent in training the clever dog to learn the limits of acceptable dog behavior in the house.

From being a wild wolf, the domestic breeding of the dog has produced numerous mixture of shapes and sizes of the species and a wide divergence in the inherent ability of the animal to be trained for specific roles and behavior. The result of the intelligence ranking does not mean that those breeds in the lower ladder should be eliminated from your choice as a companion. The ranking measured only one aspect of its intelligence

Every dog has its instinctive intelligence which guides its behavior and its role in the domestic lives of humans.. There are other aspects of intelligence to consider as well in addition to the dog’s physical appearance that appeals to the aesthetic sense. What should also be considered is the instinctive and adaptive intelligence of the breed that would benefit the training and the role he will play in our lives. Some dog breeds are excellent as sporting dogs, some are outstanding as working dogs, and some breeds make for a better pet.

How Intelligent Are Dogs? is a post from: Information About Dogs

Chappie dog food is available in just about every supermarket that sells dog food. It is owned by the grocery giant Mars (also owns Pedigree dog food / Royal Canin dog food), recommended by vets and trusted by MANY dog owners…yet it seems to be constantly ignored by many modern dog owners when it comes to choosing their dog’s food.

Chappie Dog Food Review

Ingredients of Chappie Dog Food
Fish & Fish Derivatives (including 4% fish)
Cereals (min 4%)
Meat & Animal Derivatives (including min 4% chicken)
Oils & Fats
Herbs
Minerals

Overall satisfaction from dog owners opinions appears to be extremely favorable to Chappie.

Read more about Chappie dog food.

Chappie Dog Food Review is a post from: Information About Dogs

Dog Training Made Easy is a series of quick videos to teach your dog basic training and commands. Carolyn Menteith, host of the 25 videos, guides dog owners through important topics such as handling your dog, biting, sitting, barking, digging, eating poo, commands such as sit, stay, and retrieve, and so much more.

These videos are around 2-5 minutes each and can be watched in order or individually. As a whole, the series aims to help you ensure your dog is socialable, well trained, and a happier dog.

For more information about Dogs Trust, please visit http://www.dogstrust.org.uk

Video: Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? is a post from: Information About Dogs

Every year the skyline is set alight with rockets, Catherine wheels and Roman candles as celebrations take place to the accompanying sound of fireworks. Bangs, explosions and bright lights are partnered by screams, sirens and the occasional howling dog.

Most dogs do not like fireworks. Fact. Every year dogs along with many other animals experience fear and confusion, sometimes alone when their owners are away enjoying an organised bonfire.

It is not unusual for dogs to run away or escape from the home when frightened by fireworks so ensuring your garden is ULTRA secure is a must, especially at this time of year.

What to Do If Your Dog is Afraid of Fireworks

Our simple 6 point guide should help to ensure your pets can get through the firework season safe and sound.

1. It is a good idea to bring any outdoor pets inside for the duration of firework period. If this is not possible, covering kennels up with a blanket at night will give a dog a little protection from the bright flashes and loud bangs. Outside dogs are often used to thunder but fireworks can cause a very different reaction.

Always remember how acute a dog’s sense of hearing is. A loud bang to us can feel like volcano erupting to a dog.

2. It may be hard, but try and stay with your dog during the majority of the firework season. A dog can often react very differently to a bang when you are not there. If it is possible, see if you can view your dog via a hidden vantage point just to gauge his or her reaction to the bangs.

Even though you may elect to stay with the dog, try very hard not to react to the sounds of fireworks yourself. Do your best to ignore the bangs and crashes, showing your dog that there is no imminent danger despite the loud noises and bright flashes.

3. Always make sure your dog has his or her own special area where they can go to feel safe. Be it an indoor kennel or a place under the stairs, dogs love to have a den at their disposal.

4. It sounds obvious, but try to keep the windows and curtains closed as often as possible during firework season as this will lessen the effect of the noise and bright flashes.

5. Normal household noises such as the TV, vacuuming or music can help to distract from the loud noises coming from outside. Maybe firework season is a good time to have a disco at home followed by a few days of vacuuming!

6. Last but certainly not least, always ensure your pet has some sort of identification on him or her. It is a sad fact but many dogs do run away from home during firework season, even dogs that has previously shown no fear of fireworks can occasionally take flight at the loud noises and flashes in the sky.

Be prepared, your dog has no comprehension why the sudden noises and bright lights and as an animal with ultra sensitive senses, it’s important to be prepared for any sudden displays of anxiety or fear.

Don’t let your dog’s fear of fireworks (or any other loud noises) cause them undue distress this year. One of the most trusted (and vet recommended) methods of assisting dogs deal with stress is the use of a dog appeasing pheromone. You can learn more about how the dog appeasing pheromone works, here.

Guide to Dogs & Fireworks is a post from: Information About Dogs