Tag: dogs

Top dog Kuno to receive Dickin Medal

Retired military dog Kuno is to receive the prestigious PDSA Dickin Medal for valour – the animal Victoria Cross – after he was wounded in action while heroically saving the lives of British Forces fighting Al Qaeda.


During a dangerous operation in 2019, three-year-old Belgian Shepherd Malinois Kuno and his handler were deployed in support of specialist UK and host nation forces on a compound raid against a well-armed and aggressive enemy when they came under attack.

Pinned down by grenade and machine-gun fire from an insurgent, the assault force was unable to move without taking casualties.

Without hesitation, Kuno charged through a hail of gunfire to tackle the gunman, breaking the deadlock and changing the course of the attack, allowing the mission to be completed successfully.

During the assault Kuno was wounded by bullets in both back legs. He was given life-saving treatment by his handler and by medics in the back of a helicopter.

His injuries were so severe he required several operations before he was stable enough to fly back to the UK. Sadly, part of one of Kuno’s rear paws had to be amputated to prevent life-threatening infection.

But now he is thriving after becoming the first UK military working dog to be fitted with custom made prosthetic limbs.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Without Kuno, the course of this operation could have been very different, and it’s clear he saved the lives of British personnel that day. This particular raid was one of the most significant achievements against Al Qaeda in several years.

“Kuno’s story reminds us not only of the dedicated service of our soldiers and military dogs, but also the great care that the UK Armed Forces provide to the animals that serve alongside them.”

Kuno underwent extensive rehabilitation under the watchful eye of Army vets and is fitted with prosthetics that allow his to run and play
Kuno underwent extensive rehabilitation under the watchful eye of Army vets and is fitted with prosthetics that allow him to run and play

Kuno returned home aboard an RAF plane, receiving in-flight care from a Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) team. Back in the UK he was transferred to the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray where he underwent extensive reconstructive surgery, overseen by Professor Dick White, one of the world’s leading specialists in canine surgery.

Under the painstaking care of Army vets, veterinary nurses and canine physiotherapists, assisted by staff from the University of Nottingham, Kuno then embarked upon an innovative and lengthy programme of rehabilitation to restore function to his nerves and muscles, just like injured service personnel.

Kuno was a friendly and enthusiastic patient throughout, he loves human interaction and especially enjoyed his sessions on the hydrotherapy treadmill.

Within months, he was strong enough to be fitted with a pioneering custom-made prosthesis to replace his missing paw, alongside an orthotic brace to support his injured limb.

Kuno, who was on his second deployment when he was injured, is the first UK military dog to be fitted with such devices. Lightweight and fully bespoke, they enable him to run and jump as he wishes, securing a great quality of life for many years to come.

Colonel Neil Smith QHVS, the Chief Veterinary and Remount Officer, said: “It is important that Military Working Dogs receive a high level of care if they are unfortunately injured, and Defence has military vets and vet nurses to ensure animals receive the care and rehabilitation they deserve.

“Kuno is an amazing dog in many ways, and we are delighted that the PDSA have decided to award him their Dickin Medal.”

Now retired and rehomed, Kuno will receive the PDSA Dickin Medal, the highest animal honour in existence for military animal valour, which will be formally presented by PDSA, the UK’s leading veterinary charity who run the world’s most prestigious animal awards programme, in a virtual ceremony in November.

PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: Kuno’s heroic actions undoubtedly changed the course of the mission and saved lives. He took on the enemy without fear or hesitation, never faltering from his duty despite being seriously injured.

“For his bravery and devotion to duty, he is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the PDSA Dickin Medal and we look forward to formally presenting his award later this year.”

The world-renowned PDSA Dickin Medal was introduced by PDSA’s founder, Maria Dickin CBE, in 1943. It is the highest award any animal can achieve while serving in military conflict. Kuno will become the 72nd recipient of the PDSA Dickin Medal; previous recipients include 34 dogs, 32 World War II messenger pigeons, four horses and one cat.

Kuno has now been rehomed and is living happily with a new family
Kuno has now been rehomed and is living happily with a new family

Scottish athletic heroes on a mission to keep dogs active for life

Today, current GB athletic heroes British 1500 metre record-holder and 2 x European champion Laura Muir, 3 x Paralympian and Rio 2016 silver medallist Lauren Steadman, and 2 x European U23 champion Jemma Reekie are teaming up with YuMOVE, to launch Wagletics – a campaign that will inspire the nation’s pet owners to keep their dogs active for life.

YuMOVE are launching the campaign in response to the soaring number of new dog-owners throughout the UK who have bought, adopted or rehomed a dog during the pandemic.

According to a recent report by charity the Dogs Trust, google searches for ‘buy a puppy’ increased by 166% during the pandemic and leading pet rescue charities like Battersea Dogs and Cats Home have reported record numbers of dogs being rehomed during this period.

In the absence of the Games, GB’s Laura Muir, Lauren Steadman and Jemma Reekie are emBARKing on a different kind of challenge: keeping the nation’s dogs happy, healthy and active for life.

These remarkable women regularly prepare for the world’s most prestigious sporting competitions by training alongside their dogs. In what would have been the final week of the Olympic Games, our GB heroes are swapping gold medals for wagging tails.

The YuMOVE Wagletics campaign will run across YuMOVE’s Facebook and Instagram channels from 7th – 28th August. 

Lauren Steadman (@laurensteadmann), Laura Muir (@lmuiruns) and Jemma Rekkie (@jemmareekie) will also be posting content to their own Instagram channels. Each week, the nation will have the opportunity to learn a new exercise for their dogs and will be shown how to master it by our GB heroes. 

Exercises will be adapted for dogs of all ages. Routines will focus on mobility, strength, coordination and discipline and will include a doggy agility course, ultimate frisbee, hide & seek and obedience challenges. All of these playful and easy-to-do routines can be performed at home with minimal or no props.

The campaign supports YuMOVE’s mission to keep pets active for life. YuMOVE helps to soothe stiff joints, support joint structure, and promote mobility, helping to keep pets moving for longer. All exercises for the Wagletics campaign have been created  by Laura Muir, who not content with flying the flag for Team GB, is also a fully-qualified vet. 

Laura Muir said: “As an elite athlete at the top of my game I understand better than most how to keep fit in order to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. 

“But as a Vet I also know how important it is for dogs to be mentally and physically fit. So I hope dog owners will be inspired to mix up their daily exercise routines to support their dogs in living a long, healthy and active life.” 

Lauren Steadman said: “I regularly train with my German Shepherd Meric Belle. The bond that we share is unbreakable and I know that their love and companionship has played a big part in both my training and allowing me to enjoy my downtime.

“I’m delighted to play a part in the Wagletics campaign and can’t wait to share some of my exercise tips and tricks with you.”

Jemma Reekie added: “As a dog-owner, I know how much people cherish their pets and want to do the best they can for them.

“So with the Wagletics campaign we’re going to remind dog owners just how much fun different exercises can be for them and their dogs and the benefit of these exercises to their long term health and mobility.”

Gemma Cunningham, spokesperson for YuMOVE, commented: “At YuMOVE, we understand that mobility plays a huge part in maintaining a good quality of life, and with the right joint support and by staying active through exercise our dogs can keep moving long into their senior years. So who better to help us improve our doggie exercise routines than three dog-loving GB athletes?

“These inspirational women regularly train with their dogs in preparation for the most prestigious sporting events in the world and, in the absence of the Olympic Games this summer, we hope they can inspire the nation’s dog-owners to help their dogs stay active not only for the remainder of the summer, but for life.”

Follow YuMOVE on social media and search #YuMOVEWagletics to participate and keep your dog active for life. 

Amazing prizes, including one-on-one coaching sessions from our athletes, product bundles and doggy toys are up for grabs for all those that take part in the campaign. 

Hot tips to keep canine companions cool during lockdown

With temperatures set to soar, Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is offering top tips to help owners make sure dogs can stay safe and happy in the sun and keep cool during lockdown.

The charity is advising dog owners how they can keep cool – indoors as well as outdoors – and prevent them from overheating as the days get hotter.

The charity advises:

  1. Avoid walking or doing activities either indoors or outdoors with your dog at the hottest times of the day, so early morning or later in the evening is often best.
  2. Always take plenty of water with you when out with your dog and make sure they have access to fresh water at home at all times.
  3. Tarmac can get very hot in the sun – check it with your hand before letting your dog walk on it so they don’t burn their paws. Try the ‘seven-second test’ – if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws
  4. If you need to take your dog out in the car, even if travelling a short distance, avoid travelling during the hottest times of the day and never leave your dog in a car on a warm day. Not even with the window open.

Dogs Trust says that having fun with your dog indoors can be just as stimulating as a long walk, but owners still need to be aware that they need to make sure their dogs stay cool indoors too – so choose the coolest room in the house, stay out of direct sunlight, always have fresh water available and make sure your dog has somewhere cool to relax and sleep.

To help owners keep their dogs entertained whilst we are all spending more time at home,  Dogs Trust has come up with eight fun ways to have fun with a cardboard box and tubes (like those you’d find in a toilet or kitchen roll).

  1. The paw-fect figure 8: Get two boxes and set them out a little distance apart. Hold your dog’s treats or a favourite toy in one hand and slowly start to move them in a figure of eight around the two items, swapping the reward into your other hand at the centre point. One arm will guide your dog around the item to the left and the other arm will guide your dog around the item to your right. Repeat several times until you’ve got the movement smooth and well-rehearsed!
  2. Digging deep: Shred or scrunch up newspaper or any paper items and pop them in an empty box. Drop in some treats or toys, and watch your dog dig away!
  3. Paws-up: Can you get them to put their front feet on the box? Their back feet? Can you get them to run round to the left, to the right? Can smaller dogs sit in the box? Think outside of the box and we’re sure you won’t be able to contain yourself with all this fun!
  4. Bowling balls: Create a 10-pin bowling alley with spare kitchen roll tubes. Have a competition and see how many pins you can knock down vs. your dog!
  5. Tunn-els of fun: Cut the sides of a few boxes and line them up to make your very own DIY tunnel. Encourage your dog to go through with the promise of treats or their favourite toy at the end of the tunnel!
  6. Jog your dog’s memory: Lay out multiple boxes in a semi-circle and pop a treat in one of them, making sure your dog is watching. Hold up a sheet to block your furry friend’s vision, drop and then see if they remember which box the treat was in! Repeat the game and change the box with the treat in, see how many times they get it right!
  7. Snoot challenge: next level – remember the original snoot challenge where you had to make a circular shape with your hands and wait for your pooch to run up and put their nose through the hole? Building from this, cut a hole out in your box and see if you can get your dog to poke their nose through it! *boop*
  8. Teach your dog to read: for starters write different words (e.g. sit, down, paw) on different boxes that you want your dog to learn. Say the word that’s on the specific box in front of them, and ask them to do what the word says. When your dog does as you’ve asked, reward them with a tasty treat and repeat several times until your dog has associated the new word, with the specific box!

Dogs Trust Veterinary Director, Paula Boyden, says: “There are so many things we can do to make sure our dogs stay happy and healthy in hot weather, but it is crucial we keep a close eye on them, even if we are playing indoors as many of us are at the moment.

“If you want to spend time in your garden with your dog, make sure they have plenty of shade and if they have shown they are comfortable around water, introduce them carefully to a shallow paddling pool in the shade.

“If you do need to head out in the car with your dog, please be very careful. As little as twenty minutes can prove fatal if a dog is left alone in a car on a warm day.

“Many people still believe it’s OK if the windows are left open or they’re parked in the shade, but the truth is, it’s not and we strongly advise that dog owners never leave their dog in a car on a warm day, even if it feels cool outside.”

If you see a dog in a car in distress, Dogs Trust advises that members of the public call 999. Signs of a dog suffering from heatstroke include excessive panting, heavy salivation, vomiting or diarrhoea, lack of co-ordination or loss of consciousness.

We understand dog owners are anxious to ensure their four-legged friends are being well looked after and exercised in these difficult times, while we all stick to the government advice on each of the four nations.

While in England you can now go out to exercise as much as you like, please remember to keep your distance from other dog walkers , keep your dog on a lead and think about going out at a time of day when it might be a bit less busy.

Of course, some may need to use dog walkers, who are prioritising key workers – just be sure to hand your dog over in space large enough to maintain social distancing and to wash all equipment after your pooch returns.

For more information and advice, see www.dogstrust.org.uk

Dogs Trust: Think outside the delivery box!

Eight ways to entertain your dog with a cardboard box and toilet roll tubes!

With the nation’s dog owners mostly spending National Pet Month (April 1st – May 10th) indoors, Dogs Trust is issuing some top tips on how dog owners can keep their dogs happy – all with simple household items – a cardboard box and toilet roll tubes!

Jenna Kiddie Head of Canine Behaviour at Dogs Trust, said: “We understand that owners may be looking for ways to keep their dogs occupied, especially when the current advice is to go outside just once a day for exercise with your four-legged friend.

“Whilst physical exercise is important for your dog, mental stimulation is also essential to help keep them happy. You can make it fun for them, and because they’re using their brains, it’s just as tiring as physical exercise.

“It’s really easy for you keep your dog’s brain busy from the comfort of your own home using simple household items. From activities involving their favourite treats, to games using things you may have left over from online deliveries, there are many ways you can keep your dog active, without stepping outside your front door.”

Dogs Trust has come up with eight fun ways to entertain your dog with a cardboard box and tubes whilst you’re staying indoors, and asking people to share their pictures and videos using the hashtag #MyDogIsForLife and tagging @DogsTrust on Twitter and Instagram.

Tutorial videos for the eight games will be released during National Pet Month on the charity’s social media pages.

  1. The paw-fect figure 8 – Get two boxes and set them out a little distance apart. Hold your dog’s treats or a favourite toy in one hand and slowly start to move them in a figure of eight around the two items, swapping the reward into your other hand at the centre point. One arm will guide your dog around the item to the left and the other arm will guide your dog around the item to your right. Repeat several times until you’ve got the movement smooth and well-rehearsed!
  2. Digging deep: Shred or scrunch up newspaper or any paper items and pop them in an empty box. Drop in some treats or toys, and watch your dog dig away!
  3. Paws-up: Can you get them to put their front feet on the box? Their back feet? Can you get them to run round to the left, to the right? Can smaller dogs sit in the box? Think outside of the box and we’re sure you won’t be able to contain yourself with all this fun!
  4. Bowling balls: Create a 10-pin bowling alley with spare kitchen roll tubes. Have a competition and see how many pins you can knock down vs. your dog!
  5. Tunn-els of fun: Cut the sides of a few boxes and line them up to make your very own DIY tunnel. Encourage your dog to go through with the promise of treats or their favourite toy at the end of the tunnel!
  6. Jog your dog’s memory: Lay out multiple boxes in a semi-circle and pop a treat in one of them, making sure your dog is watching. Hold up a sheet to block your furry friend’s vision, drop and then see if they remember which box the treat was in! Repeat the game and change the box with the treat in, see how many times they get it right!
  7. Snoot challenge: next level – remember the original snoot challenge where you had to make a circular shape with your hands and wait for your pooch to run up and put their nose through the hole? Building from this, cut a hole out in your box and see if you can get your dog to poke their nose through it! *boop*
  8. Teach your dog to read – for starters write different words (e.g. sit, down, paw) on different boxes that you want your dog to learn. Say the word that’s on the specific box in front of them, and ask them to do what the word says. When your dog does as you’ve asked, reward them with a tasty treat and repeat several times until your dog has associated the new word, with the specific box!

Images and videos shared with Dogs Trust will appear on the My Dog Is For Life webpage feed for others to see and take inspiration from. www.dogstrust.org.uk/mydogisforlife  

For more information, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.

Labradors take the lead as UK’s most popular dog breed

Protectivity research has revealed which dog breeds have seen the biggest rise and fall in registration numbers over the last two decades.

  • The Labrador takes the crown of the most popular dog breed with 35,347 registrations in newly released Kennel Club Club data, overtaking the French Bulldog.

  • When looking at breed types, utility breeds have seen the biggest increase in registrations, with a 163% rise since 1990. 

  • The Dogue de Bordeaux is revealed to have had the largest increase in registrations, with a 22,217% rise, from just 6 registrations in 1990 to 1,339 in 2019.

  • Surprisingly, the Yorkshire Terrier has experienced the greatest fall in registration numbers with just 644 registrations in 2019 compared to a huge 24,015 in 1990, as owners are favouring continental breeds over the classic British breeds.

Pet business insurance provider Protectivity has analysed data from The Kennel Club to reveal which dog breeds are the most popular and which have seen the biggest rise and fall in registration numbers in the UK between 1990 and 2019. You can view the piece here.

As a nation of animal lovers, dogs are one of our most popular pets, and with over a quarter of adults owning one, we all have our own favourite breeds. Traditionally, we’ve seen Spaniels, Labradors and Terriers among the more commonly owned breeds, but in recent years we’ve also seen ‘designer’ dog breeds become much more popular, with these posh pups costing over £1000 to buy in some cases.

French Bulldogs lose their spot as the top dog

Looking at the number of registrations in the UK in 2019, the Labrador Retriever comes in as the top breed with 35,347 registrations, overtaking last year’s top breed the French Bulldog, which has had 33,661 registrations. The “Frenchie”, as it’s more affectionately known, has risen to popularity after becoming the breed of choice for celebrities such as the Beckhams, Lady Gaga and Holly Willoughby, amongst others. However, the spike in French Bulldog purchases has also caused the RSPCA to see a 236% increase in the number of this breed entering their care over the last seven years.

The top ten sees our old favourite breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever and Dachshund, but also includes a more surprising entry in the form of the Miniature Schnauzer. Ranked as one of the most ‘average’ dogs by the Royal Veterinary College, the lack of breed-related problems and tolerant nature make the Miniature Schnauzer a good option for any aspiring dog owners, with their smart mustachioed appearance also winning the hearts of many.

The top five most popular dog breeds are:

Rank

Breed

Registrations in 2019

1

Retriever (Labrador)

35,347

2

French Bulldog

33,661

3

Spaniel (Cocker)

21,663

4

Bulldog

9,922

5

Spaniel (English Springer)

8,638

Which breeds have seen the biggest rise and fall in registrations?

The nation’s trendiest dog since 1990 goes to the Dogue de Bordeaux. With a huge 22,217% increase in registrations, the breed has seen a massive surge in popularity, even placing above the French Bulldog which comes in second with a 13,639% increase.

Despite having a long history of working roles including as a guard dog, these gentle giants make a brilliant dog to have around children, with their calm and affectionate nature making them a loyal family member.

However, it’s the biggest fallers that might be more surprising, with the Yorkshire Terrier having seen a 97% decrease in registrations. The number of registrations of the breed have been steadily declining year on year, highlighting how fewer litters are being produced.

This decline may also in part be as a result of the overall increase in registrations for popular European breeds such as the French Bulldog, causing a saturation of more small breeds in the market.

The five breeds with the greatest increase in registrations are:

Rank

Breed

Difference in registrations from 1990 to 2019 (%)

1

Dogue de Bordeaux

22,217%

2

French Bulldog

13,639%

3

Bracco Italiano

5,850%

4

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois)

2,183%

5

Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling)

2,125%

The five breeds with the greatest decrease in registrations are:

Rank

Breed

Difference in registrations from 1990 to 2019 (%)

1

Yorkshire Terrier

-97%

2

West Highland White Terrier

-92%

3

Pekingese

-91%

4

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

-88%

5

Cairn Terrier

-88%

Utility breeds see a surge in popularity

When looking at the wider breed types, the change in popularity of breeds can be seen further. With a 163% surge in popularity, Utility breeds have risen by quite some margin, while Pastoral, Toy and Terrier breeds have all experienced declines of over 50%.

Within the Pastoral breed group, over 80% of the breeds analysed have experienced a decline, including larger breeds such as the Old English Sheepdog, Bearded Collie and Shetland Sheepdog. T

his downward trend in larger breeds may also be reflective of the increase in people living in city centre locations, where the urban lifestyle is much more suited to smaller dogs.

Sean Walsh, Marketing Manager from Protectivity Insurance said: “Dogs are some of our most loved pets, as they become deeply embedded and irreplaceable members of the family. Each family or owner will have their own criteria when choosing a dog, in order to ensure that the needs of the breed are met with their lifestyle.

“As a result, it’s interesting to see how our modern lifestyles have created a shift in popularity towards smaller dog breeds, rather than the larger Retrievers and German Shepherds which were once much more popular”

Yappy Ever After!

FURRY-TAIL DAY FOR INSEPARABLE CANINES

A special ceremony took place on Sunday 23 February for two loved-up pups at a Wedding Showcase event in Edinburgh.

Dachshunds Nova and Ottis proved to be the paw-fect pair after winning a social media competition run by DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre to find an adorable four legged couple.

Since winning, the doggy duo have taken part in a puppy proposal photoshoot and enjoyed a specially catered dog-friendly afternoon tea when visiting the hotel to have the final touches for their big day put in place – arranged by the hotel’s wedding planner.

The public have been able to follow the journey of Nova and Ottis on social media with through the #skyBARKwedding hashtag.

On Sunday Nova and Ottis celebrated their love at SKYbar against the picturesque backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and the cityscape.

Among the wedding witnesses were representatives from a national Dachshund owners’ group and newly engaged couples who were touring the hotel and SKYbar as a prospective venue for their own special day.

Marcello Ventisei, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre, said: “Couples are spoiled for choice with wedding venues, so we wanted to showcase a unique take on the full journey from proposal to vows at DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre with adorable canines.

“We’ve loved this journey with Nova and Ottis and we hope our guests enjoyed being part of this picture-perfect day too.”

Pups all set to say ‘I do’!

The countdown is on for a special ceremony for two pups at a city centre hotel – and the canine couple recently visited the hotel to discuss the final touches of their big day.

Dachshunds Nova and Ottis won a social media competition to be models at a Wedding Showcase event this month at the SKYbar at DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre.

The winning couple have been given the full wedding treatment as the hotel team have helped to plan their furry-tail day. Both pups enjoyed a specially catered dog-friendly afternoon tea menu tasting and finalised details during a meeting with Euan, the hotel wedding planner.

Nova and Ottis are due to celebrate their love at SKYbar against the picturesque backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and the cityscape on Sunday 23rd February 2020 at the showcase event. Many newly engaged couples will be witnesses as they tour the hotel and SKYbar as a prospective venue for their own special day.

Marcello Ventisei, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre, said: “Our Wedding Showcase event is a great way for couples and families to view the venue in various setups and discuss plans with our experienced team.

“We’ve loved this journey with Nova and Ottis and we can’t wait to see the response from our guests attending the event later this month.”

You can follow the journey of Nova and Ottis on social media with #skyBARKwedding.

www.rbhmanagement.com

Puppy love: canine proposal in the capital

Dachshund duo Nova and Ottis proved to be the paw-fect pair of inseparable canines as they take part in a Christmas Day proposal photoshoot at DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre.

The loved-up pups were voted as the winning fur-ever friends from a competition on the hotel’s Facebook page. The four-legged fiancées will be part of a special ceremony at SKYbar in Edinburgh on Sunday 23rd February 2020 at its annual Wedding Showcase event.

Winning couple Nova and Ottis will be given the full wedding treatment and the hotel will help plan their furry-tail ending.

You can follow the journey of Nova and Ottis on social media with #skyBARKwedding.

For more details of SKYbar Wedding Showcase please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/skybar-wedding-showcase-featuring-the-wedding-guru-and-skybarkwedding-tickets-86507366863