It’s that time of the week when we take a look at the latest dog news that has caught our eye.
All Dog Bones Are Not Created Equal
We love a new dog toy or accessory as much as the next person and often times these new concepts appear on Kickstarter first. This week, we’ve come across the GoBone. It’s a motorised dog bone designed to keep your dog entertained while you’re out of the house for a few of hours. It can be controlled remotely with your phone and can also dispense treats. It should be in production later this year and certainly looks entertaining but don’t forget that dogs need socialisation. No toy can provide the human interaction, affection and stimulation that a dog needs throughout the day.
A Science & Dog History Lesson
There isn’t any doubt now a days that humans and our best furry buds were meant to be – they’re family after all. If you wanted scientific proof, read on.
Domestication of animals is rare to start with and typically when an animal is domesticated, it happens at one point in history and the animals in question come from one “source”. However, recent research suggests that dogs were actually domesticated at two separate times and in separate locations. To our minds, this further confirms that our two species are indeed superbly suited for each other – we were destined to be besties.
If you want to delve a little further, watch this heavily scientific video:
Vets Demand Healthier Breeding Standards
This is Ramón, a mainstay of the DogBuddy London office. He’s a greedy monster and undoubtedly cute if sometimes aloof. His health however is not nearly as cute and he isn’t alone. Many breeds are being irresponsibly bred to have specific physical characteristics, completely disregarding the associated health risks. The list of breeds affected includes Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Pugs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and the list goes on.
Vets across Europe including Norway, Sweden, Ireland and the Netherlands have already joined forces against the breeding of unhealthy pups. UK vets have now been getting more involved too and with the help of VetHelpDirect, a petition (for veterinary professionals only) has been launched demanding reform to breeding standards for dogs that suffer from poor health.
About a pug with breathing difficulties, Dr Pete Wedderburn BVM&S CertVR MRCVS writes:
This was not some random illness: this is a man-made problem. Somebody chose to breed him to have a “cute” snub nose and wrinkly face, callously disregarding the fact that this would mean that he would be deprived of normal, wide-open, free-flowing breathing airways. If somebody inflicted the type of suffering that this dog has endured on a healthy adult animal, they would be prosecuted for cruelty. Somehow, because he was born with these problems, the fact that humans chose to create him like this is conveniently forgotten. Nobody has ever been prosecuted for the cruelty to animals caused by breeding creatures who are born to suffer.
You can read the whole article by Dr Pete here and if you’re a veterinary professional and you want to sign the petition, you can do so here.
RSPCA Week
From the 6th of June to the 12th of June it’s RSPCA week! To show our support we’ve crafted a special double whammy discount code for all of you. Every time you make a dog care booking using the code, you’ll get £5 off and importantly, we will also donate £5 to the RSPCA! Click here to book your dog in with a local and trusted sitter on DogBuddy.
Discount code: RSPCA
HRH Celebrations – Park Walk, Chelsea
To celebrate the birthday of Her Royal Highness there’s a street party for dogs this Sunday in west London. Entry is free and you’re sure to find a delicious selection of treats for yourself and of your best furry friend. You can find more details on the event page here.