Category Archives: News

Dachshund puppy

Man and puppy (1930)
photo: Jankovszky György
source: wikipedia

Walkies could become the law for German dog owners

Taking your dog for walks twice a day for at least an hour in total could soon become the law in Germany.

Image from GETTY. “Dachshunds would be among those benefiting from the legislation”
(Not sure why Dachshunds specifically will benefit but always good to see a sausage in the snow!)

There could also be a ban on keeping dogs chained for long periods.

Rules are also being devised to crack down on “puppy farms” by banning breeders from looking after more than three litters at any one time.

“Pets are not cuddly toys, their needs have to be taken into account,” Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner said about the planned changes.

Under the planned rules, dog owners:

  • will have to take their dogs for walks twice a day for a minimum of one hour in total
  • will not be allowed to keep their dogs chained for long periods of time
  • will not be allowed to leave dogs alone the whole day

Breeders will be restricted to looking after a maximum of three litters and puppies will have to spend a minimum of four hours a day in human company to ensure they get socialised.

Ms Klöckner said the changes were based on expert advice to ensure animal protection and welfare.

For the full article click here to go to the BBC News website.

Westminster Dog of the Year

Dogs at polling stations, again

Sausage dog lost in bushfire has emotional reunion with owner

He’s less than a foot tall but the little sausage dog has survived getting lost in a dangerous Australian bushfire.

Wilbur’s story captivated animal lovers with news channels appealing for help to reunite him with his owner.

Firefighters found him wandering alone on Wednesday near Termeil in New South Wales as fires burnt around him.

They looked after the frightened Dachshund overnight and put out a call to try and find his home.

The bushfires in New South Wales have been raging for weeks and are some of the worst on record.

Six people have died there in the state’s north since October.

Luckily, Wilbur’s owner quickly came forward to claim him and revealed he was still searching for Wilbur’s “brother”.

For the full article click here for BBC News.

Scientists explain puppy dog eyes

The sad, imploring expression held such power over humans during 33,000 years of canine domestication that the preference for dogs that could pull off the look steered the evolution of their facial muscles, researchers have said.

The result is that dogs gradually acquired a new forehead muscle named the levator anguli oculi medialis, or LAOM, and have used it to deploy the doleful look to devastating effect ever since.

“They are very powerful animals in how they capture our hearts,” said Prof Bridget Waller, the director of the Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Portsmouth. “We pay a lot of attention to faces, they are meaningful to us, and this expression makes dogs look juvenile and sad. It induces a nurturing response. It’s a cute factor.”

For the full article go to the Guardian website.

Take your dog to the cinema?

Ashford’s Elwick Place Picturehouse: the only cinema in Kent where you can watch films with your dog

A town centre cinema has hosted its first dog-friendly screening.

The Picturehouse Cinema in Elwick Place, Ashford, invited dog owners and their beloved pets down to a special viewing of Pick of the Litter – a documentary following the training of Guide Dog puppies.

The furry film-goers were treated with water bowls, blankets to lie or sit on and dog treats, while lights were kept on and the volume reduced to improve their viewing experience. Representatives from Ashford’s Guide Dogs branch also attended, welcoming guests to the cinema.

The special screenings are expected to continue, taking place on the second week of each month. Other curated film experiences at the Elwick Road complex are designed for people with autism and dementia.

For screening times and information on future events, visit https://www.picturehouses.com/cinema/Ashford_Picturehouse/

from Kent News Online.

Dachshund on duty

Click here for the Guardian story on Jimmy, the therapy dog. (My only concern is that they are giving Jimmy cheese. I thought cheese was bad for dogs?)

Does you dog look like you?

Gerrard Gethings says: “Certain breeds would be essential because of their unique characteristics: Afghan hounds, poodles, pugs, bulldogs etc. I put out the word on social media and was inundated with dogs. I chose 10 of them and then set out to find their human counterpart.

To see the pictures click here to go to the Guardian

Fenella and Georgine, a saluki

“The plan was to shoot the dogs, find the humans, style them, then have them behave or pose in a similar way. This process would be repeated until we had all the shots. At the same time I would always have one eye on people I passed in the street. Many of the subjects I stopped in the park or on the bus, and had to find a tactful way of saying you look exactly like a poodle, can I take your photograph?

Henry and Hope, an Afghan hound

“Without exception, people reacted positively. I always led my request with a compliment, particularly if it was to a total stranger … ‘I’m working on a photographic project and you have beautiful hair/ interesting teeth/a magnificent nose!’ I’ve been taking photographs for a long time so am well versed in administering dubious compliments.

Amelia and Artemis, a standard poodle

“Almost all the dogs were funny. The giant Newfoundland had way too much love to give and almost killed my assistant, knocking her to the ground and cuddling her into submission. Our beautiful, competition winning, standard poodle was in hair and make-up for about two hours, and then the next dog turned up early. They took one look at each other and set off together, rolling and barking and generally going bonkers. The groomer was distraught. One dog mistook my tripod for a lamppost and every other dog who followed saw this as an invitation that would be rude to ignore.

Sophie and Percy, a pug

“During the casting process, I decided I simply had to photograph the Turkish man who helps out in my local shop. He has an amazing beard but speaks hardly any English. It was impossible to explain to him that he reminds me of a miniature schnauzer. I gave up in the end but wrote down the studio address and a time on a piece of paper. He showed up anyway, with absolutely no idea what was about to happen. His pictures were great.”

And more…

 

 

Westminster Dog of the Year

Alex Norris MP’s two dogs Boomer and Corona have been announced as co-winners of the Westminster Dog of the Year competition. The Labour MP for Nottingham North, although a newcomer to the Commons, is a veteran of the competition, having won the the paw-blic vote last year.

For the full article click here.