Table of contents for July 2024 in Your Dog

* Check before travel. PAWSBY FUN DOG SHOW JULY 21. Thoresby Park, Nottingham. Coming to Thoresby Park this summer is the Pawsby Fun Dog Show! With free entry and car parking just £3 for the day, you’d be silly to miss this. Whether competing with your dog, or spectating and enjoying the show, there is fun to be had by all. With several classes throughout the day, from Most Handsome Chap, Waggiest Tail and Golden Oldie, plus stalls to browse and demonstrations, there’s plenty to keep you entertained and get involved in. ● Find out more by visiting www.thoresby.com/events-at-thoresby FUN DOG SHOW JULY 14. Spilsby Recreation Ground. The Fun Dog Show in Spilsby is back for another fun-filled day this year! With several novelty classes to be judged on the…

Long distance walker Nick Johnson is no stranger to adventure. Having climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, cycled from Glasgow to London, trekked the five-day Freedom Trail across the Pyrenees and completed a 15,000ft freefall parachute jump, he’s undertaking his toughest challenge yet. The 63-year-old is currently walking the entire English coastline with his beloved English Setter, Louis, to raise funds for a charity close to their hearts. Nick, from near Warminster in Wiltshire, set off westwards from Highcliffe Castle in Dorset on a grey morning in early March. Ahead of him lay an unforgettable experience, stunning views, welcoming people and places, tricky terrain and harsh, uncompromising weather. Despite early spring’s unrelenting wind, rain and knee-deep mud, Nick and Louis have already completed the South West section – Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and…

JOKE CORNER Why was the dog such a good storyteller? Because he knew how to tail a tale! What did the dog say to the tree? Bark bark! We’ve lost Maude! Can you help find our dog? She’s somewhere in this magazine! Psst: No peeking, but you’ll find the answers on page 35! »» Mustard in the maze Help guide Mustard through the maze… Wordsearch Can you find all eight words? ☐ FETCH ☐ LICK ☐ WAG ☐ GROWL ☐ MASTIFF ☐ WHINE ☐ HOWL ☐ SNIFF Spot the difference! There are five differences between these two pictures, can you spot them? Guess the breed! Can you guess which breed this is? Here’s a few clues: ■ I am a versatile hunting dog, known for my excellent scenting abilities and…

There are several dog breeds that are fantastic at retrieving balls – many have been selectively bred for specific tasks, such as hunting or retrieving. Dogs also have a natural need for physical activity and mental stimulation, and fetching a ball provides both. Playing fetch strengthens the bond between dog and owner – and after all, it’s a fun and interactive way to spend time together with your dog! Dogs also love the praise or treat they get for bringing the ball back – and so they repeat the behaviour as positive associations are made. Which breeds are great at ball retrieving? Labrador Retriever: renowned for their retrieving abilities, Labs are not only great companions, but also excellent retrievers. Their combination of intelligence, loyalty, and love for water makes them…

Our Your Dog advisor and veterinary surgeon Dr Holly Mash talks us through the ins and outs of Animal Health Certificates, and offers some top tips on how to keep your dog comfortable and safe in the car - wherever you plan to go. Even if you are just planning a staycation this summer, it’s still important to think about keeping your dog comfortable on the journey. It’s always sensible to have made sure they’ve done their business before the trip and also that they haven’t just eaten a full meal. Depending on the length of the journey, it’s advisable to make a stop every two to four hours or so for a leg stretch, ‘comfort break’ and a drink. Did you know that according to the Highway Code, (and…

Dogs’ claws are fascinating! Here are some interesting facts about them and what our four-legged-friends use them for: ● Unlike cats, dogs generally don’t have retractable claws. Their claws are usually extended, providing traction when walking, running, or digging. This design helps them grip various surfaces better, especially when navigating rough terrain. ● Dogs are natural diggers and their claws are perfectly adapted for this purpose. Whether they’re burying a bone, creating a cosy den, or simply doing what dogs do, their claws efficiently churn through the dirt! ● Claws provide traction and stability, especially during activities like running, turning sharply, or climbing. This is particularly handy for breeds like Huskies, which are known for their agility and endurance in icy conditions. ● While dogs primarily rely on their teeth…

Alessa Thompson gave her family quite a fright when she was hit by a car. The eight-year-old is autistic and “a bit of a runner”, according to her mum, Donna Bunting, or a “bolter”, which is the common term in health circles. But since adorable autism assistance dog Mandy, a Labrador/Golden Retriever-cross trained by national charity Support Dogs, bounded into her life, Alessa has virtually stopped running away. “Getting her in and out of school was a nightmare,” said Donna, of Chaddesden, Derby. “When she was six or seven, her grandad picked her up from school and she was excited because she saw her grandad’s van on the other side of the road. She just ran and was hit by a car. It was more of a tap as luckily…

When I was at vet school, ophthalmology wasn’t my thing. Maybe it was the timing of the lectures, but I often found it hard to stay awake through a slideshow of images of dog’s retinas, which apparently showed all sorts of different diseases, but which all looked the same to me! When I got interested in helping my clients breed healthy dogs, suddenly eyes became much more interesting. Meeting several really enthusiastic ophthalmologists who let me have a peer through their fancy ‘eye scopes’ also made a big difference! Cataracts are a very common problem for older humans, with 30% of people over 65 having cataracts in one or both eyes. Dogs can also get cataracts as a result of ageing, but there are also congenital cataracts (birth defects), inherited…

The coyote (scientific name Canis Iatrans), has a rich history in North American folklore and ecology. They diversified around 1.8 million years ago, thriving in diverse habitats, and showcasing resilience and adaptability. Coyotes are members of the Canidae family and share a common ancestor to dogs. They belong to the same genus – Canis – which also includes wolves and foxes. Coyotes and dogs can interbreed, producing hybrids known as coydogs. They can be found throughout the continent, from Canada to Mexico, inhabiting a wide range of environments such as grasslands, deserts and urban areas. They can live in close proximity to humans, and regularly make us of suburban, and urban spaces for shelter and food. Within their packs, coyotes exhibit complex social behaviours – which consist of a monogamous…

Located on the South West C oast Path, Lulworth Cove is a beautiful secluded white pebble beach, with clear blue water, surrounded by incredible landforms, including the popular Stair Hole and Lulworth Cove Cliffs. It is one of the highlights of the Jurassic Coast, along with the likes of Durdle Door, which is an exhilarating 30-minute walk further along the path. Great for both humans and dogs – this stunning spot, boasting panoramic views, is well worth a visit as part of a trip to Dorset. Dogs are allowed on the beach – meaning you can both enjoy the scenic coastline, and cool off with a paddle in the sea on a warm day. With plenty of walking routes nearby, Lulworth Cove is a great place to stop and refresh…

Earlier this year, the popular BBC programme Dragons’ Den featured a volunteer Guide Dog puppy raiser called Gemma Connolly from Lancashire. Gemma walked onto the set nervously clutching the lead of Leo, a young guide dog in training. Although she may have looked relaxed and confident, Gemma admits that having Leo by her side really helped as it directed the eyes of the five hungry Dragons away from her! She then underwent a two and a half hour grilling by the Dragons as they tried to find out more about her business proposition for Scoff Paper, which produces edible greeting cards for dogs. Thankfully Gemma’s dream came true when entrepreneur Sara Davies offered to invest. Since then, life has been a whirlwind, and a far cry from the trauma of 10 years…

The Maltese is a merry and full of fun dog breed. They are enchanting, devoted, and make wonderful companions. They make up for their small size with their lively personalities and love nothing more than being the apple of their owners’ eyes. The breed is intelligent – meaning they are great to train and very obedient. Their sweet nature means they tend to be good around children – though all interactions must be supervised, and their small stature means they can get easily injured if play gets too rough. A Maltese needs around half an hour’s exercise a day. A run around the garden is sufficient, but he is happy to go for longer walks too, and they don’t require heaps of space either, so are very adaptable to different…

1 TO WIN BENEBONE INDESTRUCTIBLE WISHBONE DOG CHEW TOY! The Benebone is a long-lasting toy for strong dogs who love to chew. The wishbone is designed for those aggressive chewers, with a paw-friendly grip and made with 100% delicious real bacon that your dog will love. Made of just two ingedrients – Nylon and bacon, there’s no nasty added chemicals. We have two to give away! ● For more information, www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Benebone WIN A SNUGGLESAFE COOLPAD! The complete answer for animals who feel the heat. The SnuggleSafe Coolpad automatically cools when your dog lies on it and instantly reduces their body temperature. The SnuggleSafe Coolpad requires no pre-freezing, has no electricity wires and is completely safe to use with pets. The SnuggleSafe Coolpad self-recharges when not in use, and can be…