What To Look For In A Healthy Puppy

Nose

Their nose should be wet & cold when awake. with no discharge or sneezing

Mouth

Breath should be pleasant smelling, teeth white & straight with nice pink gums.

Coat

Coat should be clean & shiny with no patches or itchy spots. check for fleas.

Body & Limbs

The body should be symetrical & well grown with agile & supple body movements. there should be no evidence of lameness. THe puppy should stand squarely & should be active and fluid in its movements.

Ears

Ears should be clean & pink inside. Free of discharge or redness & no unpleasant odour.

Eyes

should be clean, clear & bright. Under the lids should be a healthy pink colour. There should be no redness or watering.

Anus

should be free from signs of swelling or irritation. It should be clean & dry.

Skin

should be clean, free from dandruff, blemishes & sore patches.

We hope these tips help when choosing your new family member

Lucy & "Big" Henry (pic below of a very young Henry)

TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT DOG BREED

 Choosing a FUR CHILD to become a member of your family is a

BIG DECISION.

Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice

Henry as a puppy

It is an unfortunate fact that many people choose a dog that is entirely not suitable for their family, their life-style & personalities. Furkids are intelligent sensitive creatures that need to be understood & given the chance to express themselves naturally so they become an integrated part of your life. Unless you own a working dog, you are probably looking for companion.

A few factors to consider:

• Possibly the most important factor to consider is BREED BEHAVIOR

• BREED SIZE, some big dogs seem bigger than others. example: a Deer Hound is a large tall dog but takes up surprisingly small amount of room when lying down, it also moves quietly & with ease. Whereas a Dog like "BIG" Henry is prone to knocking things over sprawling out all over the floor like a giant rug & can reach the kitchen bench with ease. ( I love all these things about him, that's why this breed works for me) but maybe not the slobber affect so much.

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(Big)​Henry & Gracie the Spoodle

• The cost of feeding a dog can be a significant factor as well. some  giant breeds don't eat a huge amount whereas some medium breeds can consume more than you would think not to forget the little guys, their bill is not so much.

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• There will also be vet bills, yearly vaccinations, worming, flea & tick treatment, grooming etc. The bigger the dog, The more expensive it gets.​

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• Lifestyle is another important factor. You want to get a breed that will fit in with you, if you are active you can go for more more active canines. eg. Border Collies need lots of stimulation to keep them out of trouble.Provided they get sufficient exercise they will be happy to fit into your routine. Other active breeds, Airedale, Australian Shepard, Dalmation, Springer Spaniel. If you lead a more laidback lifestyle perhaps a less active breed will suit, eg laidback breeds, Mastiff, Great Dane, Blood Hound, Newfoundland, Basset Hound.

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​ALL DOGS HAVE THEIR OWN GREAT TRAITS. 

DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE ADDING YOUR NEWEST FAMILY MEMBER.

LOVE, LOVE DOGS

So lets face it Henry is a big lump.... a little lazy & not really into fetch. 

Here are a few suggestions of alternate games to play with your dog.

HIDE & SEEK

This childhood game isn’t just reserved for the human kids. Your pup can partake in the fun, too. Find one of your dog’s favorite toys or grab a handful of treats. Have your dog sit and stay in one room. Then, go and hide in another. Once you’ve found yourself in a good hiding place, call your dog. When he/she finds you, reward enthusiastically with treats and praise.

This game will work both brains and senses.

 Doggy Treat Hunt

It doesn’t have to be Easter for your dog to play this egg-hunt-inspired game. Grab some of his favorite smelly treats, either alone or stuffed inside a treat-holding toy, and hide them around the living room or backyard. Make sure your canine companion is in another room so he/she doesn’t see or smell the secret hiding spots. Then invite your furkid into the room or backyard and watch them sniff away in search of the hidden treasure.

 Roundabout Dog

This activityis perfect perfect for a family with children. Every member sits around the room (at least 7 metres from one another) with a handful of treats. Then, every person will take turns calling out their dog’s name. Every time the dog comes, he should be rewarded with treats and praise. When he has accomplished the game indoors, try taking it outside and spread out even further from one another especially if you have a larger breed & an active pup.

HAVE FUN WITH YOUR FURKID TODAY

Get out there & play

Lucy & "big" Henry