dogs

60 Seconds with Ann Baslington-Davies – expert canine witness

Ann Baslington-Davis is a Canine Behaviour Analyst, specialising as an expert witness for Court cases involving dog bites and fights.  An expert witness would be called into assist where a dog has bitten (or alleged to have bitten) a person whilst out in a public place or on private property, or if a dog has […]

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Dogs can be good for your social life

A recent poll of 2,000 dog owners by Janevic et al. (2019) supports previous findings that pets can promote social contact between other owners (Knight and Edwards, 2008). The researchers found pet parents met, on average, four new people thanks to their four-legged friend either through dog walking or puppy training classes. Most owners also […]

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Dogs reduce risk of Uni students failing their studies

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Numerous studies suggest dogs can improve physiological and psychological health in adults and even enhance cognitive development in infants (Hurley et al., 2010).  Consequently, our four-legged friends are now frequently used in therapy to provide emotional support, whether that’s during Court trials or airline travel.  A new study has now found that being around dogs […]

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Dogs are eating 54,000 extra calories annually

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Over-indulgence can lead to weight-gain in humans and it is the same for pets.  Whilst many owners carefully manage their dog’s diet, a new survey indicates the average owner is feeding their dog an extra 54,000 calories a year, in addition to their daily meals. The research, conducted by food manufacturer Royal Canin, investigated how […]

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Gene mutation linked to sudden blindness in dogs

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A new study has found that a change in genetic code is linked to sudden blindness known as goniodysgenesis ( or ‘gonio’) in Border Collies. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies identified a mutation in the gene called 0LFML3.  This is a gene involved in […]

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“Nip it in the bud!”

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Five words that sum up an owner’s frustration about their dog’s problem behaviour.  Five words I have heard so often if they were airmiles I would be heading to the States right now.  Five words that also make me twitch… Can unwanted behaviour be ‘nipped in the bud’? In some cases, yes. Managing your dog’s […]

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Chemical pollutants at home and in diet may impact dogs’ fertility

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Whether you are aware of it or not hazardous chemicals are often lurking in many of the products we use and immediate environment.  Two of these man-made chemicals include: i.) DEHP, a softener for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used in a wide array of products such as carpets, clothes and toys and, ii.) polychlorinated biphenyl 153, […]

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German Shepherds bring the big bucks at the cinema

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According to a recent study, German Shepherds claim the top spot when it comes to box office smashes. The pet insurer, Everypaw, analysed the top 50 live-action films starring dogs to better understand if there was a link between breed type and film earnings. Of the 35 breeds, pedigrees appeared in 97% of the box […]

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Can allergy-friendly dogs prevent allergic reactions?

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Allergies to dogs have increased in prevalence presumably as a result of increased dog ownership and sensitisation.  Consequently, public interest in “hypoallergenic” breeds has surged in the last decade.  Such interest was boosted when President Obama selected Bo, the Portuguese Water Dog – a breed considered ‘allergy-friendly’ – to be America’s First Dog due to his […]

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The science of emotions

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Being a great pet owner is to better understand their mind and our own.  One topic hotly debated by owners for centuries is whether our four-legged friends experience emotions. During the 17th century, Descartes (1596-1650) suggested humans were creatures of reason, linked to the mind of God whereas animals were incapable of consciousness and nothing […]

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