The DogCast Radio blog

It's the first day of Crufts today and as I trawled through the press releases on offer in the press room, some of them jumped out at me.
 

Crufts is a celebration of all things doggy, including rare British breeds. If you're looking for a dog to suit you, maybe a "vulnerable" breed could be just what you're looking for? Here's the press release from British Heritage Dog Breeds:

CRUFTS 2010 – It’s cool to be British!

Forget all those fancy and exotic foreign dog breeds. The message is clear: "if you want to be cool, get a British or Irish dog breed and preferably one of the really really rare ones which are in danger of disappearing".

A couple of headlines caught my head in the newspaper I bought on Saturday. One was Vaccines 'are making our dogs sick as vets cash in' and featured quotes from Catherine O'Driscoll of Canine Health Concern. I interviewed Catherine for Episode 96 of DogCast Radio, and I know her worries come from her experiences with her own dogs.

Do you have a super smart dog, or one who needs extra distraction when left alone? Well here's news that might interest you:

Company of Animals premieres the world’s most eco-friendly dog toy at Crufts
Dogs in the UK are looking forward to being Bamboozled when Company of Animals premieres the world’s most eco-friendly dog toy at Crufts.
 

Crufts is only days away, and there's always lots of great doggy people in attendance. Dr Roger Mugford will be one of them, and you can hear an interview with him in Episode 48 of DogCast Radio.             

‘Founding Father’ of pet behaviour therapy,
Dr Roger Mugford, shares his expertise with Crufts visitors

Top animal psychologist, Dr Roger Mugford, will once again be offering free advice to         visitors on the Company of Animals’ stand at Crufts on any aspect of canine behaviour.

I'm looking forward to seeing this film. It's based on the true story of a dog who waited for his dead master, which you can find out more about here. I just hope it's not as much of a weepy as Marley and Me was.

Take care,

Julie x

Someone who is going to be busy raising money for charity os James Hewitt who is doing a sponsored walkies-athon! Here are the details:

DARLINGTON DOG LOVER GOES FOR ULTIMATE WALKIES

‘100 DOGS IN 12 HOURS’ FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE

Darlington dog lover James Hewitt is planning to raise money for his local Dogs Trust rehoming centre by going for the ultimate walkies next month.

Life has been very busy the last few weeks, and one of the things keeping Buddy and me busy has been rehearsing with the Safe and Sound team, getting ready for Crufts. Safe and Sound is an excellent scheme run by the Kennel Club to promote the correct and safe way to behave around dogs. We will part of the Safe and Sound displays in the main arena at Crufts on the Saturday and Sunday of the show.

Does your dog have a look all of his own? Does he attract attention for his appearance? If so maybe he could win himself and you some goodies:

BRITISH ECCENTRICS UNITE AS THE SEARCH FOR BRITAIN’S NEXT TOP DOG MODEL IS ON!

Forget Vivienne Westwood and Kate Moss, it’s Hawkshead country clothing retailer that’s causing a stir in the British fashion world, canine that is, as a nationwide search launches to find this season’s most fashionable and eccentric pooch.

Here's a nice idea from Dogs Trust:

AND THEY CALL IT PUPPY LOVE…….”
Sponsor a Dogs Trust rescue dog this Valentine’s Day

Faithful, really cute and remembers to send you a Valentine’s card. No, it’s not your knight in shining armour, but a Dogs Trust sponsor dog looking for the perfect partner this February 14th.