K9 Perspective issue 1
All pages open in a new window.Editorial
WITH the launch of this exclusively canine magazine comes a desire to give New Zealanders a source of information that is local...
Our gardens ...safe haven or hazard zone?
If your new dog is just a puppy it will taste and chew on anything it finds in the yard - sometimes even adult dogs will do that - and berries that look tempting are often eaten, especially if they taste sweet or neutral. Even the vegetable garden is not without dangers...
Progressive retinal atrophy - its days are numbered
FROM the United States there is good news on research to trace the gene responsible for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in all affected breeds. From October 1999 the test has been available for the Labrador retriever, bringing to six the number of breeds in which the presence of the gene for PRA, and its dominant or recessive form, can be recognised...
Worms! An ongoing vigilance required
THERE are four main types of worm that dogs in New Zealand can acquire. Their effects and outcomes are all different, but for the safety of human owners and their children, and for the health of the dogs themselves, there is one easy remedy - all adult dogs...
New millennium looks good for dog welfare
WITH so many stories circulating at any one time of cruelties that the world´s dogs are still subject to, one could sometimes be forgiven for thinking that the human race is beyond redemption and will never learn to get along with its fellow creatures on their own terms. However, there have been many recent developments that would remind us all to do what we can for oppressed canine...
Home-cooked meals
Beef plate, Steak and vegetables, Snacks for your dog...
Dogs at Home
We want to see more of your dogs at home. If you have a photograph of your dog or dogs that you think is funny or unusual enough to be published in this page...
Dogs´ tracking abilities depend on the weather
Tracking the scent of an evasive prey can be a difficult and trying endeavour at times. We wonder why sometimes our dog tracks its prey well and at other times it seems he doesn´t even know another animal has been in the area. The dog´s ability to find a scent is...
Dog Squad close to community´s heart
THE Hamilton SPCA´s founding Dog Squad is a foursome to be reckoned with. Together they have helped raise thousands of dollars for less fortunate members of their species through their attendance at Waikato events and open days, and by demonstrating their obedience skills...
Pregnancy and the domestic bitch
THE length of pregnancy (gestation) in the bitch may vary between 56 and 72 days since both early and late matings may be fertile. Early matings require the survival of sperm with the female until ovulation and can therefore produce a longer pregnancy. Late matings are when the...
Lurchers and Longdogs
The initial concept of a lurcher, a long way back in English antiquity, was the result of crossbreeding one of a group of sight hound breeds with a stock or herding dog. As lurcher history has evolved this has become a far more refined and complex process than the early efforts where a lurcher was basically the product of any form of herding or droving dog with greyhound blood predominating on the sight hound side of the cross...
Is fruit okay for dogs?
Most dogs seem to enjoy eating fruit, whether it is a few mouthfuls of a piece of fruit that their owner is eating, the skins and cores of such fruit as apples or pears, or many that live near apple, plum or nectarine trees, grapevines or berry canes, seem to almost live on fruit that they pull off the trees themselves. Fruit is a natural food that dogs in the wild would find and eat...
Holistic Animal Health Conference & Expo
THE New Zealand Holistic Animal Therapists Association presents another outstanding line-up of speakers, for its second international Holistic Animal Health Conference and Expo. The first was in 1998 at Hamilton - not only a NZ first but a world first - and was so well received that it is almost certain to be a regular event. Speakers over the weekend are...
The Fox Terrier - a talent for mischief
BRIGHT, keen, ready for action on the slightest provocation; that is in a few words the character of the fox terrier. But he´s more than just that. A string of words could be added like bossy, alert, scrappy, fearless and independent. The fox terrier also has a joy for life, an insatiable curiosity and a well-developed sense of humour...
Ten commandments for a responsible dog owner
Consider your dog in all things you do...
Trainining begins with socialisation
Book Review - A Dog in Your Family by Alicia Kennedy, Oxford University Press. This book is all about relationships. From the time you select your puppy the onus is on you to provide its training and socialisation. And the author has made sure there is plenty of help within easy reach. Alicia Kennedy is a veterinarian who knows the importance of choosing the right dog for your lifestyle and circumstances...
Noah solves problems
Book Review - Noah´s Notebook - Caring for your Dog by Dr lan A Robertson BVSc MRCVS (GP Publications) - The first question raised is ´are you ready for a dog?´ and that means not only have you the time to spend with your dog every day, but also have you the money to spend? And are you prepared for huge change in your lifestyle?...
Your dog can be part of the family holiday
Book Review - The Complete Pet Travel Guide 2000 Compiled by Pauline Wagner
Genes the basic inheritance unit
MOST of you are undoubtedly aware that colour and certain diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) are inherited - that is, passed down from one or both the parents. However, you may wonder how a trait that does not appear in the dam´s pedigree can suddenly turn up in a litter...
Toileting on command ... why?
HERE are two of the reasons service dogs toilet on command: The disabled handler can clean up after them easier if the dog toilets at a designated spot where they can reach it; The dog is toileted before going into public places or to a public place in an out-of-the-way area (the airport comes to mind). How do we do it? It´s the easiest command of all to teach because the pooch has to go pee or poop no matter what! We start with the pup at eight weeks and...
Leash work puts pups on the right track
THE leash is not only an outside lead, it truly is an inside lead - a way to lead your puppy or dog towards becoming a perfect little citizen. Our goal as trainers is to teach the puppy from day one to be a responsible citizen in the house, in public buildings and on the streets....
The downside of inbreeding
Inbreeding was once a valuable tool in shaping today´s breeds. As these have now reached a high degree of homogeneity, it has lost its importance and turned into a fatal and disastrous habit...
Canine reproductive diseases are rare
IN general, dogs rarely have reproductive problems and most pet owners are concerned with preventing reproduction rather than enhancing it. However, for today´s serious breeder of purebred dogs, there is an amazing variety of reproductive diseases and problems that can occur. For the veterinarian to treat the problems, a complete history and physical examination, as well a reproductive history and evaluation of the reproductive tract must be performed...
Chocolate toxic to dogs
HOW many times have you heard someone confess that they love chocolate themselves and sometimes give their dog a few pieces although they have heard that it is not good for dogs and could make them sick? That is, unfortunately, quite a common occurrence but the truth is that you are not doing your dog any favours as far as health is concerned. Chocolate contains...
Tripe the best meal for hungry hounds
Our canine friends, particularly the large, energetic working and hunting breeds, can only be as fit and healthy as their given diets allow. Dogs are carnivores, anatomically adapted to primarily eat meat. Their teeth are designed for tearing and crushing aided by powerful jaw bones and muscles, while the...
Canine aggression: Development and correction
AGGRESSION in dogs is the most serious behaviour problem that pet owners must deal with, and it is largely preventable if the owner understand canine growth periods and the factors that influence the development of aggressive behaviour. Health authorities report that thousands of people are bitten each year, but this number probably represents only half the actual bites; the rest go unreported. Although many bite wounds are minor, experts have reported that in the United States bites account for one percent of all emergency room admissions and cost about $US30 million in annual health care. At least half of dog bite victims are young children...
Husky racing here to stay
The sport of sled dog racing is very much alive and well throughout New Zealand, with clubs in both the North and South Islands. And the lack of snow in most areas for at least part of the year does not dampen the enthusiasm of the Siberian huskies or their owners - sleds with wheels fit the requirements perfectly...
Husky racing here to stay cont...
New Zealand Husky racing´s Great Northern Classic of June 1999 (page 2)...
Pet Expo 1999
Pet Expo 1999 surpassed all expectations and set the pace for 2000...
Plenty to see and learn for dog owners
AFTER the huge success of the 1999 Pet Expos in Auckland, Hamilton, Hastings and Christchurch, the nation´s largest pet show is back this year for its fourth season. More than 125,000 visitors have been to the shows over the last three years and...
Direct-fed microbials useful for dogs
An energetic and beautiful dog is the pride of every dog owner. Feeding selected cultures of lactic acid-producing bacteria and yeast boosts the health and performance of dogs, according to many owners. Understanding the benefits of direct-fed microbial cultures, also known as probiotics, can help you decide when to use these products with your dog...
Natural foods and their functions
The following foods are all good to use as supplements to a dog´s daily intake...
CANINE PARVOVIRUS INFECTION
A highly contagious viral disease that attacks the intestinal track, white blood cells, and sometimes the heart muscle. This disease, canine parvovirus (CPV) infection, has appeared world-wide. The infection is spread by contact between dogs and is likely to appear wherever dogs congregate...
