From the category archives:

Dog Beds

Pudsey the Britain’s Got Talent Dog

by chris on May 9, 2012

I’m sure many of you have been keeping up to date on the latest series of Britain’s Got Talent as there are some really great acts on this year.  But the one that has got everyone talking is the dog act called Pudsey and Ashleigh.  This is a 15 year old girl who has trained her dog, Pudsey to do amazing dancing and tricks along with her.

The duo impressed all of the judges in their audition but they really stepped up their game for the live semi-final where they were given a standing ovation by all four judges.  The show’s creator, judge and well-known dog lover, Simon Cowell, said “this is the moment I have been waiting for my entire life”.  He also joked that they should breed Pudsey so that he could have the puppy.

There have been dog acts on the show before but none that have had the wow factor and close relationship between trainer and dog that is so evident between Ashleigh and Pudsey.  They are one of the favourites to win the show alongside Jonathan and Charlotte, two young opera singers who have amazing voices.  This makes to competition tough for Pudsey but I’m sure he can handle a little competition with those moves.  You can see the video on the official ITV website or you can see watch a little clip here:

{ 0 comments }

Dog Beds for Dog TV

by chris on May 2, 2012

Dog TV is set to hit the whole of the USA after a very successful trial period in San Diego.  The aim of dog TV is to stimulate your dogs senses and keep it entertained by what is shown on screen.  It is also to be put on when you leave your dog home alone to keep it company.  I suppose it’s basically the same as what we humans watch!

With 47 million dog owning homes in the USA it is likely to make the creators a small fortune as they are charging $4.99 per month for the exclusive viewing on digital channels.  The TV is said to have relaxing programmes, which involves things like a snail crawling across a screen, and exciting things, like other dogs playing Frisbee.

The producers say that there are going to be no re-runs and no adverts, meaning that Dog TV will be on 24 hours a day to entertain your furry friend.

Now, at that rate I would say it will not be long before Dog TV ventures over to the UK and when it does I envisage that it will have similar success to what it has over in the USA.  When it does your dog will need a lovely place to rest while watching their relaxing TV, and what better than the Ruff & Barker Dog Bed Duvet.  This dog bed will be your dogs favourite TV spot, just like your favourite arm chair!

{ 0 comments }

Top Tips from a Top Dog Trainer

by chris on April 19, 2012

I recently gave our friend, Sue McCabe, a short questionnaire to answer on a couple of points that most dog owners will be interested to know.  Sue is the founder of Muttamorphosis, the North Easts top dog behaviourist and training company.  She is a magnificent dog trainer and comes highly recommended by all dog owners that have used the services at Muttamorphosis.  If you wish to found out more about Sue and Muttamorphosis visit www.muttamorphosis.co.uk.  Here is what she had to say:

  1. 1.       What would be your favourite breed of dog and why? I don’t have a favourite breed of dog, though I chose to share my life at the moment with German Shepherds & Collies.  I think everyone becomes comfortable & familiar with the breeds they live with, their good points & bad.  It’s about what you’re used to.  Professionally I love any breed with sparkle, a little, but not too much attitude, who are keen to learn and interact. 
  2. 2.       Is there a breed of dog that is generally the most difficult to train and why do you think that is?  That would depend what it is you’re trying to train the dog to do.  For example, I’m sure it would be possible to train a dachshund to herd sheep, but their ability both mentally and physically will always be lacking compared to a Border Collie or German Shepherd.  If you have the right motivation, something the dog is prepared to work for, and then most dogs can be trained to live happily as family pets, so long as the family are willing & able to do the training.
  3. 3.       If you could recommend one thing to a new puppy owner, what would that be? Crate train your dog.  Crates are wonderful for house training your dog, but more importantly they teach your puppy self control, something dogs are rarely born with.  Crates allow your dog a safe space when you can’t supervise & as den animals, if done correctly, they usually love the security a crate can offer.  Crates allow your dog to have your company, without constantly having to correct them for naughty behaviour & avoid bad habits being built up.  I think they are by far, the most wonderful training tool to be used in recent times.
  4. 4.       What is the hardest thing you have taught a dog to do?  My old German Shepherd Scout believed that every dog was put on the planet for him to play with.  The most difficult thing I have ever done was convince him that not all dogs loved him as much as he loved them.
  5. 5.       What is the most common dog behavioural problem and how would you fix it?  Dog to dog aggression is becoming more and more common and it now consists of approximately 50% of my private behaviour consultations.  The rise of dog to dog aggression is most like the result of uncontrolled dog interaction during puppy-hood.  Under the guise of ‘socialisation’, owners allow their dogs to run up to every dog they see, without any training or control.  These dogs learn impolite greetings & bad canine body language.  They are often told off by other dogs for this & as a result become defensively aggressive.  Owners need to take time to teach their dogs to be calm & controlled around other dogs & allow interaction mostly with sensible adult dogs, rather than manic ‘dog-play-dates’, as occurs in most parks.  It’s far easier to prevent dog aggression than it is to fix it, a complex & often difficult retraining for both dog & owner.

As you can see, Sue highly recommends dog crate training your dog from an early age.  If you are looking for a dog crate that is not too highly priced and can be talking anywhere with your dog then I’d recommend the Heavy Duty Collapsible Dog Carrier.  This will allow your dogs to have a place to feel relaxed and secure wherever they are as this is a portable dog carrier.  Listen to the expert and get a Heavy Duty Collapsible Dog Carrier.

Heavy Duty Collapsible Dog Carrier – From £27.99

{ 0 comments }

Outdoor Dog Beds for Summer

by chris on March 30, 2012

Can you believe the weather we have been having recently?  I bet all you dog owners have been up to the beach or out for some lovely leisurely walks in countryside.  There is nothing better than a quiet stroll with you and your best friend in the warm weather is there?

However, these wonderful trips out come at a price which is the bane of many dog owners lives.  The mess in your car can often spoil a lovely outing and also can be expensive to have your car seats or boot cleaned every weekend.  A walk down the beach nearly always results in wet dog plus sand which equals a horrendous mess in the back of your car.  A stroll through a forest or through a field is likely to end in a damp dog plus muddy paws which again, equals messy car.

The first car dog bed that I will recommend to stop your car boot from being covered in sand, hair, mud and water is the Poi Dog® Car Boot Liner.  This is guaranteed to cover the entire floor of your car boot and its high edges will stop any muddy paws riding up the side of the car.  Then when you get home just take it out of the boot, wipe it down with a damp cloth, dry it and throw it straight back in the boot for another lovely outing.

Poi Dog® Car Boot Liner – £34.99

Another great car dog bed by Poi Dog® is the Collapsible Dog Bed.  This is great for use anywhere from the house to the back seat of the car or it can collapse to make a boot liner similar to the Poi Dog® Car Boot Liner mentioned previously.  This is a really useful dog bed as it can be stored easily if you don’t want it to be your dogs’ main dog bed and get it out when you are taking them in the car.  It makes a fantastic fold up space saver dog bed.

Poi Dog® Collapsible Dog Bed – From £28.99

Wherever you take your dogs this summer, just remember that your car needs looking after, too!  There isn’t a more comfortable way to save your car than a Poi Dog® dog bed – for the dogs who just can’t stay clean!

{ 0 comments }

The Kennel Club

by chris on March 26, 2012

This is possibly the most renowned name in the world of dogs.  The Kennel Club are the people who set the specifics that are needed for a dog to become a true breed of dog.  If the dog falls outside of its breed specifics then it is classed as not being a true breed.

To get any respect or recognition as a dog breeder you must be registered with the Kennel Club an assured breeder.  This basically gets you onto the Kennel Club registered breeders list and you will be able to sell your pups for more money, provided they pass all health checks.

The breed specifics are mainly if your dog wants to be in a show like Crufts, it will have to pass all these checks that will be performed by a vet to make sure it fits the breed specifics.  This can often be disappointing for some owners as their dogs can be disqualified on show day for not being a pure breed.

The Kennel Club have always prided themselves on doing the best for dogs, their slogan is “making a difference for dogs”.  This is true in the way that they want the heritage of dog breeds to remain and that there are not just people breeding dogs just for money.  This lessens the use of back yard breeders and puppy mills which is a very good thing.

However, whether a dog is registered with the Kennel Club or not will not matter to you as you will love it just the same.  To show your dog how much you appreciate them, they would prefer nothing better than a new, clean and above all comfortable place to sleep and relax.  I can recommend nothing more than the Poi Dog® Dog Bed Duvet.  These dog beds are easily wiped clean and will keep your dog’s comfortable for a long time to come.

Poi Dog® Dog Bed Duvet – From – £28.99

{ 0 comments }

Giant Dogs

by chris on March 15, 2012

After my previous post on Toy Dogs, I thought it would be appropriate to go to the opposite end of the spectrum and tell you the best I can about the giant dog breeds.  Now I for one am a huge fan of these giant breeds, my favourites being either the Great Dane or Leonberger.  Both are magnificent dogs and absolutely enormous!  Most of you are likely to know what a Great Dane looks like, if not, then just picture Scooby Doo.  However, it is less likely that you know what a Leonberger looks like so here is a picture of the beautiful boy I met at Crufts:

The woman in that picture is actually standing up… Only joking, but still you can’t appreciate the sheer size of that dog without seeing it in real life and that lady had five of them!  Apparently for dog beds they had a memory foam dog mattress!

Giant breeds in general will be the ones that you see in the street and think “Wow, that is a big dog”, however there is actually no breed, characteristic or height that classifies a dog as being a ‘giant dog’, therefore you have the power to make that decision for yourself.

There are a few breeds that are considered as ‘giant’, the most common, other than the ones mentioned, would be the Bernese Mountain Dog, Mastiffs, Wolfhounds and St Bernard.  The St Bernard is the largest dog breed in terms of weight, weighing up to 15 stone and more!  However, in terms of height, the Irish Wolfhound takes the medal growing up to a minimum of 3 feet at the shoulder.  Now that is a giant dog!

You will struggle to find dog beds that are big enough and filled enough to support the huge mass of these giant dog breeds!  However, if you are struggling for a giant dog bed then look no further.  The Ruff & Barker Extra Large Dog Bed Duvet will be easily big enough to fit any giant dog.  So if your giant dog likes to rip up dog beds or you can’t find giant dog beds then that is certainly the product for you!

Ruff and Barker Extra Large Dog Bed Duvet – From £28.99

{ 0 comments }

Toy Dogs

by chris on March 7, 2012

This is a term that appears to be spreading very quickly around the world as what could almost be described as a fashion accessory.  The term ‘toy dog’ refers to small breeds of dog such as Chihuahuas, Pugs and Chinese Crested.  These dogs in the past have been average dogs that have never been considered as anything other than a dog, however, in recent years they can be considered by some as a fashion accessory that are carried around in ladies handbags.  This craze was started when Paris Hilton was seen walking with a Chihuahua sticking out of the top of her handbag.  This has led to an outbreak of merchandise for these toy dogs, including high quality dog beds and dog bean bags.

Since then the sale of these dogs have gone through the roof, which sadly can have a negative impact on the dogs’ health and temperament.  This is because breeders were just using their dogs as breeding machines and not trying to breed out health and temperament issues, meaning that a lot of the dogs could have issues that led them to be rehomed.  This resulted in a countless number of small dogs in rescue centres and on free ad sites like Gumtree.  Another problem is that breeders were constantly trying to downsize their dogs as it is thought “the smaller the better” with toy dogs.  This led to a lot of problems with the dogs’ vision and breathing.

Of course there are still responsible breeders of these dogs that breed for quality rather than quantity.  It is relatively simple to pick a responsible breeder by visiting them and seeing the conditions their dogs are kept in.  Also, you might want to look at the condition of the mother because if she looks very weak and immobile then it is likely she is constantly in labour, meaning the breeder is not trying to get quality pups.

Nevertheless, the sale of these toy dogs continues to grow, as well as merchandise like t-shirts and “bling” collars and dog beds.  Most of these dogs are treated like royalty and there isn’t a more regal bed than the Ruff & Barker Dog Bean Bags.  The luxury suede fabric gives it a designer dog bed edge and the dog bean bag filling provides fantastic comfort for the dogs.

Ruff & Barker Dog Bean Bag – From £28.99

{ 0 comments }

Dog Carriers for Crufts 2012 – What’s On?

by chris on February 29, 2012

Hopefully you all have your dogs prepared for Crufts next week, or if you’re not taking a dog, I hope you’ve got your tickets!  It is taking up 5 halls of the NEC in Birmingham so it is looking to be an enormous and entertaining show for people of all ages and I’d definitely recommend it to all.

I thought I would just do a summary of the different days and things to see at Crufts 2012, hopefully it will save you some time and you won’t have to scout through countless names and stall numbers to find the most popular stands.

Day 1 is toy dog and utility dog day.  This will be Thursday 8th March and the shows are only for these two categories of dogs.  There are a total of five rings on this day, including the main arena.  There is a variety of experience levels in the main arena, from novice to the actual British Open.  These include agility, jumping and even heelwork to music!  There is also a chance for owners to present their dogs in the arena where the judges will decide which dog is the best.  However, if you’re looking to see a cute puppy then the GCDS Ring is where you need to be as there are Puppy Foundation Displays throughout the day.

Day 2 is gundog day.  There are similar shows on this day as there are on day 1, however, today is when the ever famous flyball events are held.  If you are not familiar with flyball, it is a team of dogs and owners that run a course of hurdles with a ball in their mouth and as soon as one dog gets to the end another dog runs the opposite way.  This is carried on until the one team gets all dogs through the course and wins.  This is a very lively event and is always a crowd pleaser!

Day 3 is working and pastoral dog day.  These events are similar to the previous days and the flyball, however these are the later rounds, such as semi-finals.  Flyball is also available for viewing in the YKC (Young Kennel Club) Ring on this day.

Day 4, the final day, is Terrier and Hound day.  On this day the main arena is closed around 3 o clock and the hall to be cleared ready for the best in show dogs – this is the final of every event.  You must have a separate ticket to get into best in show, or be showing yourself!

One of my favourite parts of the show is the Discover Dogs section where there will be over 200 breeds of dog to meet and learn more about.  This is located in hall 3 and will of course be the main attraction of this hall!  I’m sure there will be some puppies there for you all to see!

Of course, it would not be Crufts without the huge variety of stands supplying everything a dog or dog owner needs or wants.  If you have forgotten your show set, no need to worry there is a stall for that.  You could probably be showing at Crufts and come with just your dog and still find all the necessary showing equipment on the stalls around the five halls.  However, that would be a bit risky and irresponsible.  The most important thing is making sure you get your dog there so dog carriers are one of the key pieces of equipment.  Why not get yourself a Lightweight Dog Crate from Purely Pet Beds.  This would make the perfect Labrador dog bed for the day!  Also, this way the weight of the dog doesn’t seem so much for you and your dog can relax and get ready to show off!

Lightweight Pet Transporter – From £19.99

{ 0 comments }

Dangerous Dogs in the UK

by chris on February 22, 2012

Recently I have been reading articles more regularly involving attacks on people and children by dogs resulting in serious injury or even death for the people and dogs alike.  People will argue that certain breeds of dogs are evil and will attack anything and should be banned, others will argue that it is the upbringing of the dog that determines whether it is violent or not and has nothing to do with the breed.

To an extent, I would disagree with both of those arguments.  This is because I do believe that with some breeds, it is in their nature to defend themselves, whereas other dogs tend not to have to urge to defend as much.  There are four dogs that the UK government decided in 1991 that are unsuitable to be kept as pets due to their violent nature and are therefore illegal to own in this country.  These four dogs are; the Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino and any dog known as a Pitbull type such as the American Pitbull.  Sadly, this is mainly down to the reputation of the breed as they have often been bred for fighting in the past which is unfortunate as I’m sure they can be lovely dogs if they have the correct upbringing.

There are plenty of other dogs that people think should be banned that have attacked adults and children, however these cases are less regular than the attacks from the banned breeds.  Surprisingly, we in the UK have quite loose rules on dog ownership and banned breeds, only having four, whereas in the USA there are 75 breeds that have restrictions on ownership or are banned altogether.  Of course this is different dogs in different states and not the whole country.  So the dog that you have at home could in fact be restricted or banned in some American states!

However, I’m sure your own dog would not be classed as a “dangerous dog” in any country.  Why not show them how much you appreciate them and treat them to a luxury dog bed.  I think the most luxurious dog bed for a loving and loyal dog is the Ruff & Barker® Duvet Dog Bed.  This is due to its high quality, soft fabric supported by the cushiony, fibre interior that will keep your dog warm from the cold floor.

Ruff and Barker Duvet Dog Bed – From £28.99

On the note of banned breeds, these four dogs are possibly the strongest breeds of dog which is why they can overpower humans, ending in tragedy.  Below is a video of a Pitbull breed of dog pulling a car!

{ 0 comments }

Preparing For Crufts

by chris on February 15, 2012

Crufts is the biggest dog show in the UK and is held once a year at the NEC in Birmingham.  Whether you have a show dog or not, Crufts welcomes all dogs so it is a great day out for the family (and the dog) if you are lucky enough to get tickets!

However, if you are showing a dog for the first time or need a quick reminder on things you need to take then this is the perfect list for you.  I have spoken to a few Crufts veterans and compiled everything you need to enter Crufts with a chance of winning.  Firstly, you need to prepare the dog into showing condition.  This is done by increasing the length of their walks gradually for about a month before the show.  Dependant on the breed you can also a put weight in a backpack on their backs, but obviously this is for larger and stronger breeds.  You can also have hydro sessions to increase muscle and lose that extra bit of weight.  For those of you that don’t know, hydro sessions are basically swimming lessons for dogs.  The dog then needs bathing around 5 days before the show so that their coat is clean but not too soft.  Again, dependant on the breed you can brush them the night before to get unnecessary hairs from their coat and also to trim their nails if they haven’t been done in a while.

Now we move on to show day.  Owners often wear outfits that either match their dogs’ coat or match what their dog is wearing.  So if you have a Rottweiler you may wear a black suit with brown shoes, belt and tie.  It certainly makes you look the part and at Crufts, if you don’t match your dog you’ll probably be the odd one out!  Also you can’t forget your ring clips, which is an emblem to clip on your clothes with a matching image of the breed of dog you have.

Once all this is done you need to get all the essential equipment for your dogs.  The most essential is a show set, as you will be unable to show your dog without it.  Then of course you need all the essentials such as; towels, water bottles, groom accessories, poo bags, bait, toys, tack paws, first aid kit, running shoes, numbers of emergency contacts and credit card if you fancy making the odd purchase while you’re down there.

Another important accessory is their dog carriers to put your dogs in whilst they’re not being shown and of course, they need to be comfortable when in the carrier.  One way of keeping them comfortable would be to provide a Fleecy Bolster Dog Bed Mat to put inside the crate.  This is a fluffy mat with slightly raised sides to give the dog comfort whilst in its crate.  I would say that this product was a necessity for those crate trained dogs at Crufts.

Fleecy Bolster Dog Bed Mat – From £12.79

Finally, what I would say is the most important thing to take to Crufts would be your tickets!   So if you don’t have them yet I’d recommend getting them soon as it’s going to be a great show, not one to miss.  It’s not use preparing all that complex and specialist equipment if you don’t have your tickets.  Oh and remember the dog, too!

{ 0 comments }

← Previous Entries