Recently and more frequently I have been introduced to bizarre and baffling diseases that animals have that are coming into the store. People have been telling me that their carnivors cannot eat meat..that they are unable to take stairs or run or wear a collar for fear of choking.
With a perplexed mindset I started looking up the major factors to why there is such a problem with animals bred for the "doggy set".
I admit that I had and have my own suspicions with so many years of dog and cat connections but I was enlightened beyond what I expected.
To sum it up in a nutshell.....and without fear of making an overly broad statement I have to come to the conclusion that we have, in the past 100 years, overbred certain "pedigreed" dogs to the point that they have unusual and debilitating physical problems.
Recently it was passed in the UK that breeding standards were to be changed after pressure from the BBC which broadcasts the major dog showing there.
The BBC pulled out of the dog show after it was embroiled in the row over the welfare of pedigree dogs, leaving the event untelevised for the first time in 40 years.
Pedigree Dogs Exposed, a BBC1 documentary last year, claimed some of the Kennel Club's standards were effectively encouraging dog owners to breed ill-health into their pets.
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It revealed that decades of inbreeding has caused epilepsy and cancer among some entrants at the event, described by a leading vet as showcasing "a parade of mutants".
The corporation subsequently suspended coverage of the Crufts dog show in 2009 after The Kennel Club refused to comply with the BBC's demands that 14 'at risk' breeds be excluded from the competition.
Crufts attracted 150,000 visitors last year and an average of three million television viewers each day.
The Kennel Club has now said it will change the standards – the ideal which show dogs must try and match - to ensure that all dogs are "fit for their original function". It will also ban the breeding of close relatives.
There are a number of breed specific amendments, for 78 breeds.
They have been revised so that they will not include anything that could in any way be interpreted as encouraging features that might prevent a dog from breathing, walking and seeing freely.
Under the "strict new rules", the standard for Shar Pei dogs will no longer include exaggerated folds of loose skin across its neck, skull and legs and breeders must stop encouraging "excessive weight" in Labradors.
Owners of Clumber Spaniels will be banned from "exaggerating substance" – the size of a dog's body and muscle – so that they would be fit for their original purpose of working in the field.
Marc Abraham, Kennel Club veterinary advisor, said: "The changes that have been announced today will leave breeders and judges in no doubt about their responsibilities to safeguard the health and welfare of dogs, first and foremost."
The Kennel Club denied suggestions that the new guidelines were bought in as a result of the BBC decision to suspend coverage of Crufts.
The Kennel Club is tied into a contract with the BBC until 2010, meaning it cannot offer the rights to a rival broadcaster. The BBC pays an annual six-figure sum to the Kennel Club for the television rights and could face a legal battle if it decides to suspend payment for the coming year.
Concerns raised by the documentary have already led to the withdrawal of Pedigree, the main sponsor, and the RSPCA. The animal charity welcomed the BBC's decision, describing current breed standards as "morally unjustifiable".
Mark Evans, the RSPCA's Chief veterinary adviser, said watching Crufts was "like seeing a parade of mutants".
He said: "Many characteristics which are considered desirable in pedigree dogs – as defined by the breed standards which the Kennel Club promotes – are actually shocking deformities which affect the welfare and quality of life for hundreds of thousands of dogs.
"There are now recognised to be more than 450 inherited diseases suffered by pedigree dogs and we believe the intentional breeding of deformed dogs and close inbreeding is morally unjustifiable and must stop."
Kennel Club spokesman Caroline Kisko said: "We said in the autumn that a new review standards would be bought out, long before the BBC pulled out of Crufts. As far as we're concerned, we're looking for different broadcasters. We're currently under BBC contract, whether they choose to broadcast for the next year or not."
The revised standards will be used to judge dogs in Crufts 2009.
A BBC spokesman said Crufts would not be shown in March. He added: "We remain open to the idea that Crufts will return to the BBC and this is an interesting development."
Here in Canada we are not too far behind the ill breeding of pets but for a slightly different reason. Traditionally, dogs were bred to do certain tasks and bred into those dogs were physical traits that warranted doing the work asked of it. Here in North America primarily we are seeing physical traits of dogs that are only useful for simple esthetics. Super small dogs called teacup this and teacup that and superfat, long eared breeds that would certainly not be able to attack any task asked of them. The excellent nose on certain hounds are only as good as the short time it takes for the overly fat and loose skinned dog to become too tired to continue. Overheating on dogs unable to breathe through the folds of their nasal cavities simply because someone thought the face should be flatter is beyond comprehension!
Because dogs in the UK have often been bred in pedigreed kennels from Mother to Son and sibling to sibling bad traits are often exaggerated.
Here it seems to be an uneducated eye (read backyard breeder) that "tries" breeding a separate lineage into a family and finds unwanted results and therefor not truly "pedigreed" dogs being sold for serious dollars.
Interestingly enough.......the mixed breeds (NOT the designer dogs..ie:puggle,everything-doodle, etc) are living healthier lives because the right genes are taking up the stand and creating less health related problems.....yay!
Now.......I loves me all kinda dogs....whether mixed breeds or so called pure breeds...I just want to see them live for a loooong time without pain, health problems or chronic digestive issues.
Be careful what you ask for!
WOOF!!!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Woofles and Meowz Pet bakery and boutique.
Having a super group of regular customers at the store as well as dedicated, returning travellers. (which amazes me that people come back each year to the same store for items for their pets...that ROCKS!!!) I love when people send me photos of their pets.
Christie Cameron recently sent me a pic of her and her dog "Rose" kayaking. There they were floating along cool as could be...what more could you ask for huh?!??
I'll post a pic of them on the right side of the blog.
Thanks for the pic Christie!
Christie Cameron recently sent me a pic of her and her dog "Rose" kayaking. There they were floating along cool as could be...what more could you ask for huh?!??
I'll post a pic of them on the right side of the blog.
Thanks for the pic Christie!
Spay and Neuter your pets.
So there is a customer of Woofles and Meowz that came into the store with his wife and dog several months ago proudly displaying his remarkable new dog. This dog was already 9 months old and he was getting pressure from his wife and friends to get the dog "fixed" as there was some aggressive tendancies being exhibited. After a short conversation where I asked why he was against the procedure he suggested that by neuturing his dog it ..and I quote.."make him less of a man". "You mean..less of a stud dog" I countered. "Yeh, thats what I mean" he said with his wife rolling her eyes in the background.
"Well" I said.."it is fine if you plan on breeding this dog in controlled circumstances, with other pedigreed dogs in the hopes that you can offer the pups for sale after you have created enough space, time, vet prep, innoculations,community connections within that breed standard....."
"oh I guess it can't be that he does the business and comes back home?
At that point I took a hard look at him and said with full backbone up "you know, don't you that a stud dog has amny more needs and requirements than a neutered dog right?....it can be the dog will mark and be territorial towards male dogs and possibly aggressive to people who he feels the need to dominate...that includes your kids and wife right? Not to mention the stress of a dog that will be constantly in a state of need to mate right? The fact that the dog stills has it's "berries" has no connection or suggestion of lack of manhood in it's owner right?!??
He just looked at me.
"Seriously, dude, what is the deal? I went on..."what is YOUR connection to his balls...what makes his ability to breed..to carry on a line by amateur dog fanciers so important to you? Are you a dog show watcher?"
"No."
"Do you or have you ever bred dogs before?"
"NO"....he is starting to get angry now.....his wife is grinning ear to ear.
"See the babe behind you?? she's a total fox dude..and she picked you....yer ALREADY a stud! Get over it!! (sometimes being a redneck gay man lets me get away with murder)
Deal with the aggressive behaviour that your dog is showing and talk to a breeder (I gave him a name) and see what they say to do in regards to timing of the "fix."
I recommend that it is later than some other people say to do so providing you can adequately handle the emotional state for the dog up until then. Too early can also be a problem with regards to health factors.
Fast forward several months:
Here he is with his dog all grins and happy to report that his dog DID get some advanced training and he noticed that all the GOOD traits of the dog were kept and all the bad ones were for the most part culled after the neutering.
"Welllll DUH!!!! I couldn't resist as I fed the dog a big 'ol treat....good on ya!
"Yahhh " he said..."and I'm getting divorced!!
"WHAT?!??!??"
"Just kidding!"
well I was on the floor with laugher! He had let go of silly notions and was happy enough to zing me with a good joke.
Sometimes I love my work.....
The following is an article I read on this subject recently>>>
Bringing home a dog is the easy part. Taking care of and being responsible for the dogs in our care is the part that separates the responsible owners from the irresponsible ones. One of the most frequent topics that arise in alignment with responsible dog ownership is about spaying and neutering our dogs.
What I hope to accomplish in this short article is for you to determine when is the best time to spay or neuter your dog and the ramifications if you do not do this: both for the health of your dog and the responsibility you accepted just by bringing this dog home with you.
I really hope you'll read this all the way through and then understand that I am not against spaying and neutering but rather I'm about being responsible for all aspects of your dog's care. I've recently discovered from a veterinarian friend, that our animals are being spayed and neutered far too young for their long-term health and longevity. If we continue to neuter or spay them before they are fully mature the problems with immune-mediated diseases - due in part also to poor nutrition and overvaccinating – will only grow worse. Hormones are in our bodies and those of our dogs for a reason. Hormones play key roles in the overall health and longevity of the life of our dogs. Therefore it just makes sense that neutering or spaying too young could certainly lead to long-term health problems in our dogs.
What I am not saying here is to forgo the responsibility of spaying and neutering your pet animals. Really I think that breeding should be left up to the responsible, ethical breeders who care about the structure, health, temperament, and so on of the breeds they are breeding. I do not think the average person who has a purebred or mixed breed dog should breed their dogs. I also feel that the responsible thing to do is to neuter or spay our dogs to alleviate the needless euthanasia and waste of animals that end up in shelters. The only thing I am questioning here is when they should be spayed or neutered. I believe dogs need to mature fully before being spayed or neutered to insure their long-term good health. If we neuter a giant breed male dog at six months for example, rather than at eighteen months to two years, we are almost insuring this dog will have structural or joint problems fully manifested by age six or seven thereby effectively shortening the quality and length of the dog's life.
This does fly in the face of what we're being told now by shelters and rescues but again, part of that is propaganda being taught at all levels of animal husbandry. Rather than turn this article into a political statement I'd rather focus on the positive reinforcement of responsible dog ownership. Before bringing a dog home, determine the best possible age for spaying or neutering your dog in advance so you will be prepared to protect your pet prior to being spayed or neutered. For help on this subject go to Dr. John Symes, DVM website at www.dogtorj.net . He can help you to determine the best age for you to neuter or spay your breed of dog. Remember though, it will be up to you to make certain your dog is contained in an area where he or she cannot propagate their species: meaning not being able get out or loose to breed. Once your dog reaches maturity then spaying or neutering would be the right course of action on your part.
http://dogs.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_responsibility_of_dog_ownershi#ixzz0HhIInoNp&C
"Well" I said.."it is fine if you plan on breeding this dog in controlled circumstances, with other pedigreed dogs in the hopes that you can offer the pups for sale after you have created enough space, time, vet prep, innoculations,community connections within that breed standard....."
"oh I guess it can't be that he does the business and comes back home?
At that point I took a hard look at him and said with full backbone up "you know, don't you that a stud dog has amny more needs and requirements than a neutered dog right?....it can be the dog will mark and be territorial towards male dogs and possibly aggressive to people who he feels the need to dominate...that includes your kids and wife right? Not to mention the stress of a dog that will be constantly in a state of need to mate right? The fact that the dog stills has it's "berries" has no connection or suggestion of lack of manhood in it's owner right?!??
He just looked at me.
"Seriously, dude, what is the deal? I went on..."what is YOUR connection to his balls...what makes his ability to breed..to carry on a line by amateur dog fanciers so important to you? Are you a dog show watcher?"
"No."
"Do you or have you ever bred dogs before?"
"NO"....he is starting to get angry now.....his wife is grinning ear to ear.
"See the babe behind you?? she's a total fox dude..and she picked you....yer ALREADY a stud! Get over it!! (sometimes being a redneck gay man lets me get away with murder)
Deal with the aggressive behaviour that your dog is showing and talk to a breeder (I gave him a name) and see what they say to do in regards to timing of the "fix."
I recommend that it is later than some other people say to do so providing you can adequately handle the emotional state for the dog up until then. Too early can also be a problem with regards to health factors.
Fast forward several months:
Here he is with his dog all grins and happy to report that his dog DID get some advanced training and he noticed that all the GOOD traits of the dog were kept and all the bad ones were for the most part culled after the neutering.
"Welllll DUH!!!! I couldn't resist as I fed the dog a big 'ol treat....good on ya!
"Yahhh " he said..."and I'm getting divorced!!
"WHAT?!??!??"
"Just kidding!"
well I was on the floor with laugher! He had let go of silly notions and was happy enough to zing me with a good joke.
Sometimes I love my work.....
The following is an article I read on this subject recently>>>
Bringing home a dog is the easy part. Taking care of and being responsible for the dogs in our care is the part that separates the responsible owners from the irresponsible ones. One of the most frequent topics that arise in alignment with responsible dog ownership is about spaying and neutering our dogs.
What I hope to accomplish in this short article is for you to determine when is the best time to spay or neuter your dog and the ramifications if you do not do this: both for the health of your dog and the responsibility you accepted just by bringing this dog home with you.
I really hope you'll read this all the way through and then understand that I am not against spaying and neutering but rather I'm about being responsible for all aspects of your dog's care. I've recently discovered from a veterinarian friend, that our animals are being spayed and neutered far too young for their long-term health and longevity. If we continue to neuter or spay them before they are fully mature the problems with immune-mediated diseases - due in part also to poor nutrition and overvaccinating – will only grow worse. Hormones are in our bodies and those of our dogs for a reason. Hormones play key roles in the overall health and longevity of the life of our dogs. Therefore it just makes sense that neutering or spaying too young could certainly lead to long-term health problems in our dogs.
What I am not saying here is to forgo the responsibility of spaying and neutering your pet animals. Really I think that breeding should be left up to the responsible, ethical breeders who care about the structure, health, temperament, and so on of the breeds they are breeding. I do not think the average person who has a purebred or mixed breed dog should breed their dogs. I also feel that the responsible thing to do is to neuter or spay our dogs to alleviate the needless euthanasia and waste of animals that end up in shelters. The only thing I am questioning here is when they should be spayed or neutered. I believe dogs need to mature fully before being spayed or neutered to insure their long-term good health. If we neuter a giant breed male dog at six months for example, rather than at eighteen months to two years, we are almost insuring this dog will have structural or joint problems fully manifested by age six or seven thereby effectively shortening the quality and length of the dog's life.
This does fly in the face of what we're being told now by shelters and rescues but again, part of that is propaganda being taught at all levels of animal husbandry. Rather than turn this article into a political statement I'd rather focus on the positive reinforcement of responsible dog ownership. Before bringing a dog home, determine the best possible age for spaying or neutering your dog in advance so you will be prepared to protect your pet prior to being spayed or neutered. For help on this subject go to Dr. John Symes, DVM website at www.dogtorj.net . He can help you to determine the best age for you to neuter or spay your breed of dog. Remember though, it will be up to you to make certain your dog is contained in an area where he or she cannot propagate their species: meaning not being able get out or loose to breed. Once your dog reaches maturity then spaying or neutering would be the right course of action on your part.
http://dogs.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_responsibility_of_dog_ownershi#ixzz0HhIInoNp&C
Top selling dog toys.
At Woofles and Meowz we don't have alot of room to carry stuff that does not move. As one of Vancouver's first pet Boutiques and the first bakery for dogs in town we utilyze a wonderful old CP Rail caboose. This makes for space being a premium to say the least and it gives me a huge incentive to only have the best of the best and the most popular items I can find to maximize the merchandising options. If something does not move in this store, it is out!
One of the most often asked questions is "what is the most popular toys that you sell?"
I usually follow up with "what kind of dog do you have and what age is it presently?"
This makes, obviously, a big difference in what is "popular".
For big dog breeds the MOST popular toy we carry is "The Scrambler" an egg shaped toy mentioned in an earlier blog.
For medium sized dogs that are quite active and love to retrieve we have a super cool slingshot from "Hyperdog" in two sizes that will throw a ball 150-220 feet depending on the size....GREAT for those hyper dogs who love to chase.
For the active player/chewer we carry the firehose toys and one of my favourites called "Egg babies"..a cute and yet slightly macabre toy that has a plush toy with an opening that the dog can dig out squeeking eggs.....cute and saves the toy from being shredded..at least that is the theory. Remember. <<>>
and we proudly display that sign in the store
One of the most often asked questions is "what is the most popular toys that you sell?"
I usually follow up with "what kind of dog do you have and what age is it presently?"
This makes, obviously, a big difference in what is "popular".
For big dog breeds the MOST popular toy we carry is "The Scrambler" an egg shaped toy mentioned in an earlier blog.
For medium sized dogs that are quite active and love to retrieve we have a super cool slingshot from "Hyperdog" in two sizes that will throw a ball 150-220 feet depending on the size....GREAT for those hyper dogs who love to chase.
For the active player/chewer we carry the firehose toys and one of my favourites called "Egg babies"..a cute and yet slightly macabre toy that has a plush toy with an opening that the dog can dig out squeeking eggs.....cute and saves the toy from being shredded..at least that is the theory. Remember. <<
and we proudly display that sign in the store
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