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Husky dogs are a large breed of dog and they have a rather headstrong and wilful nature.  However, they make energetic, fun and loving pets that will fit in well with an active family that has the time to care for them. They are not the right pet for anyone who is planning on just letting their dog have a run around the garden twice a day: these dogs need space and plenty of stimulation and exercise.

A bored, unhappy husky can develop behavioural problems and end up, like so many do, in the care of an animal charity such as the RSPCA.  As well as exercise and attention, huskies need regular grooming.

There are plenty of breeders who offer huskies for sale, and many will be enthusiastic and very knowledgeable about the breed. A good breeder will be happy for you to meet the puppies’ mother and spend time with the litter to help you decide which puppy you want to take home. By meeting the mother and seeing the puppies in their natural environment, you will learn a lot about what sort of dogs they will become: their temperament will most likely be similar to their mother’s, and if they seem happy and healthy and to have been allowed to socialise properly they will become happy, healthy dogs.

Whilst it is true that many huskies in rescue or rehoming centres are there because their owners have not been able to cope or care for them properly, it is not true that they cannot be loving, well-behaved pets if cared for by the right family.  It is usually the previous owner’s lack of proper care that has led to a husky being put up for re-homing, rather than anything wrong with the husky itself.  Staff at the RSPCA will be able to advise you about whether a particular dog will suit your family and will be able to give you information about its temperament and background.  They will also have made sure that the dog has been neutered/spayed and vaccinated, so you will be sure to have a healthy dog.

If you have the time to care for a husky and educate yourself about how to manage them properly, you can adopt a husky and end up with a very good pet that the whole family will adore.  


 
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German Shepherd dogs have a rather mixed reputation. They are a large breed, and are often used as guard dogs or as attack dogs by the police. Their working roles have given them a reputation as a fierce dog, certainly not one to be messed with! Certainly, if you see an advert for a German Shepherd for sale you must make inquiries about its nature and its role in its current setting (has it ever been a working dog?).

 But there is another side to their nature and one that is well-known among German Shepherd enthusiasts: they can make incredibly loyal, friendly family pets. German Shepherd puppies are exuberant and playful like any other puppies, but their basic intelligence means that they are much easier than some puppies to train. Indeed, their intelligence and obedience is one of the main reasons they are chosen as a breed to work with the police.

People who are interested in buying German Shepherd puppies generally search for a breeder. Breeders of German Shepherds are (or should be) very passionate about the breed as a loving pet, and should have taken great care to breed for temperament. You should be able to meet the mother and see the puppies in their normal home environment so that you can take a view about their personality, how well socialised they have been by the breeder and so on.

If faced with a litter of German Shepherd puppies, it can be tempting to opt for the one who is most friendly and playful, the one that bounds up to you and makes a big fuss. But that type of dog might be more difficult to train than one who is rather less forthcoming. A puppy that clings to the mother and shrinks from human contact may also not make a suitable family pet if it is anxious or withdrawn.

As with all pedigree dogs, German Shepherds can suffer from some genetic conditions (brought about through breeding for appearance that may be unnatural and cause physical deformity). If buying from a breeder, ask to see the mother’s records from the vet to see whether there are any conditions that the puppies might have inherited.

An alternative to looking for a German Shepherd for sale is to make enquiries of an animal charity such as the RSPCA to see whether any of their rescue or rehoming centres has one available for adoption. Adopting a German Shepherd dog gives you less choice as to which dog you take home, but the staff at the centre will be able to give you an unbiased, honest summary of each dog’s personality and temperament.

You can also be sure that a dog ready to be adopted will have been treated for parasites, vaccinated and micro-chipped.

German Shepherds make really excellent family pets. All you need is a large space, plenty of time and energy to exercise them, and the ability to promise the dog a loving home for the rest of its life.


 
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We are known as a nation of animal lovers, though it is only fairly recently that the idea of taking our dogs on holiday with us has really taken off.  The increase in numbers of people booking dog friendly holiday cottages has increased, as has the number of enquiries about pet friendly holiday cottages online.

Part of the reason for this is that the owners of holiday cottages in the UK have twigged that one way they can compete with foreign holiday bookings is to offer a pet-friendly service.  Dog owners in particular are often unwilling to take their dogs abroad if their dog does not travel well.  Being able to take their dogs on holiday with them within the UK is something that many dog owners welcome and are willing to pay for.

Dog friendly holiday cottages in places of natural beauty such as the Lake District, the Highlands, or the Norfolk Broads, or along any of the British coastline, are the perfect place to book a stay to enjoy the countryside with your pooch. 

Often, the alternative to taking your dog on holiday is to book them into a boarding kennel, or to ask a neighbour to call in to feed your dog while you’re away.  Some boarding kennels offer an excellent service, where they allow you to visit with your dog as many times as you need, and allow the dog to stay for increasing durations so that they are used to the idea of staying there (and that you will return), in much the same way as children are introduced to nursery or school.  But even so, many dogs find boarding kennels a distressing experience, particularly if they are kept in close quarters with other, unfamiliar dogs.

Asking a neighbour to feed your dog might be convenient for you and your neighbour but it is far from satisfactory for your dog, who may feel afraid, lonely and bored without you there as its family.  Dogs left on their own can cause a nuisance to your other neighbours through barking and howling, and often the RSPCA is called by concerned members of the public who have noticed that a dog seems to have been left alone.

Taking your dog on holiday is a great way to spend time together as a whole family, and you are sure to find some really lovely parts of the UK to explore.  But do your research before you book to make sure that there are plenty of places nearby to visit where your dog will be welcome too – there’s little point in booking a dog friendly holiday cottage if your dog ends up having to spend most of its time tethered outside the places you want to visit.  


 
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Whilst the recession is causing many people to buy second-hand products, from cars to TVs, it is not actually a major reason for buying preloved dogs.  Dogs that have been given to animal charities such as the RSPCA or that have ended up in a rescue centre through abuse, neglect or abandonment, are more in need of a good, stable home than many other dogs.

It is a sad fact that job losses and resulting house-moves have meant that many people have become unable to afford to care for their dogs, and the RSPCA has seen an increase in the need for dog rehoming.  Many people may be wary of rehoming a dog or puppy from an animal charity or rescue centre, because they may believe that the dog has been neglected or abused and may well find it hard to adjust to their new home – or that the dog may even be aggressive. 

But whilst it is sadly true that many dogs are abused and neglected and subsequently rescued by the RSPCA, only dogs that are suitable for rehoming are made available for adoption.   They are checked for signs of ill health by a vet, and are monitored closely by trained staff to see what sort of temperament the dog has.  Different people want different characteristics in a pet dog, so there is always a wide range of temperaments and personalities amongst the dogs put up for rehoming, but all are suitable for adoption by the right home.

If you adopt a dog or puppy from the RSPCA, it will have been vaccinated and neutered, and you will be questioned about your living arrangements so that the charity can be sure that the dog or puppy is going to a good home.

It takes about two weeks for a dog to settle into its new home, so if the staff have assured you that you have a vivacious and active dog but you find that you have a clingy, quiet dog at home, just give it a little time to come out of its shell and feel safe and secure enough to show its real temperament – trust that the RSPCA staff will have monitored the dog’s temperament over a period of time and in different environments and know what it’s like.

If at all possible, when adopting a dog take time off work and make sure that you have enough time to dedicate attention to your dog whilst it settles in to your new home (of course, it will need time, care and attention beyond the settling-in period, too).  Set boundaries and choose key words for instructing your dog that the whole family will use to minimise confusion for the dog. 

Make sure that each member of the family knows what responsibilities they will have for caring for the dog – will there be one main carer or will everyone share in the care?  Whoever is going to care for the dog needs to be prepared to do so for the rest of its life: so if you’re choosing a dog to be a companion for your child, remember that your child might have left to go to university before your dog has left for the big kennel in the sky…


 
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If you are thinking of buying a puppy, you might be thinking about how great it will be to have a puppy to play with or for the children to interact with; how much more motivated you’ll be to go out on all those walks that will be so good for you.  You probably already have a particular breed or size of dog in mind.

But you may not have given much thought to where you will buy your puppy from.  There are plenty of adverts for puppies or dogs for sale, and of course there are pet shops that offer puppies and dogs for sale as well.

In fact it is very important where you buy your puppy or dog from, because the treatment that dog or puppy has had before it reaches your home can greatly affect its temperament and its health.  There are good breeders out there, who put the health and wellbeing of the puppies that they sell at the forefront of any transaction.  They breed and sell puppies for the love of the breed and usually take part in competitions to display their breeding talents.

But there are also breeders out there that only breed dogs to make money.  They do not worry much about the temperament or personality characteristics they may be creating; as long as the puppies have the right physical features for the breed then people will buy them.  They may not properly socialise the puppies and may take them away from their mother prematurely.  Just like a human child who has been neglected or unloved, they can grow up to be unhappy and aggressive.

That’s why it is important to do your research before you start looking.  Find out as much as you can about the breed you are interested in, and what sorts of health problems are common to that breed.  A reputable breeder will have had their puppies and dogs certified by a vet to show that that particular line is free from certain congenital conditions. 

Look for a breeder with a good reputation; many will have waiting lists and will not need to advertise in papers.  Ask at your local vet or Kennel Club for recommendations. 

Then visit the breeder and the dogs.  Meet the puppy in its natural environment and get to know its mother.  Check the conditions of where it is living.

A good breeder who cares about the dogs and puppies they are selling will want to know that their animals are going to a good home.  Expect a good breeder to ask about your home circumstances including how much space you have and whether you have any other pets or children. 

Always remember that an alternative to buying a puppy or looking for dogs for sale is to adopt from an animal charity such as the RSPCA. Their staff will be familiar with the temperament of the dogs and puppies in their care; the dogs and puppies will be vaccinated and neutered or spayed and will have been checked for any health problems by a vet.  You probably won’t get the chance to meet a puppy’s mother this way and the paperwork certifying that it is a pedigree may not be available, but neither will you be adding to the demand for new puppies to be bred.


 
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There are few breeds of small dogs that don’t have a reputation for snapping or yapping.  Yet Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very popular and part of their attraction is their lovely nature. 

They are very much family dogs that like to live inside and be part of whatever is going on.  They are basically a lapdog that will happily spend time with you and your family at home or following you around on a walk.  They have happy, outgoing natures that make them a pleasure to take out as well as to spend time with indoors and whilst no dog can be guaranteed to be free from all aggressive tendencies, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are as safe as they come.  They even get on well with cats as well as other dogs and children.

They do need you to spend a lot of time with them, though, because they are a social dog and get lonely if they are left alone for long periods.  Part of the reason for this is that they are intelligent dogs.  This quality also makes them easy to train.

Don’t expect your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to be able to manage long walks in the countryside: they are small dogs and prefer short but frequent walks: a couple of trips round the local park each day would be more suitable for this breed than a single long walk or hike. 

If you are thinking of getting one of these dogs, there are plenty of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies for sale, though you have to take real care to find a reputable breeder.  There are many unscrupulous breeders out there and plenty more careless pet shops that will sell puppies and dogs regardless of their health condition or temperament.  Whilst most pedigrees can be relied on to display certain characteristics in terms of their personality, being bred by a bad breeder can mean that they are un-socialised and can be aggressive regardless of how docile their breed is normally known to be. 

A good breeder should be able to let you meet your puppy’s mother and have information dating back at least two or three generations plus all the relevant paperwork.  But if you want unbiased advice and a puppy that has already been vaccinated, checked for health by a vet and neutered or spayed, then why not adopt one through an animal charity like the RSPCA?

RSPCA staff will be able to advise you on which particular dog has a temperament that suits your needs and family arrangements.  Pedigree dogs turn up on the doorstep of rescue centres just like any other dog but if you want a particular breed you may have to wait a little while until one becomes available, or be prepared to travel to collect one.  


 
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The name ‘Labrador’ is simply shorthand for the breed known as ‘Labrador Retrievers’ – they are the same breed but it’s often easier to use the shortened name.  So if you see Labrador puppies for sale, they are in fact Labrador Retrievers.  Their name can be shortened even further to just ‘Labs’.

Labradors are probably the most popular breed of dog in the UK and it’s not hard to see why when you get to know one.  No breed of dog can be absolutely guaranteed to be friendly, loyal and obedient or good with children – Labradors included.  But Labradors would be the breed to put your money on if you were to bet whether it would make a good family pet.

They are very intelligent, despite their rather daft and dopey appearance – they want to be friends with everyone and are unfailingly cheerful and happy to see people (they are deliriously happy to see their owners, even if they have been apart from them for only five minutes or so). 

They learn skills well and can be taught basic commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘fetch’ and ‘lie down’ very early on as puppies.  Their instinct to retrieve stems from when they were originally gun dogs: their job was to bring back whatever prey had been shot by their masters.  The prey would be no good with teeth marks in it or chewed to bits: Labradors have very soft mouths and will retrieve anything with great care and gentleness.  Be warned though that Labradors have been known to drown from the exhaustion of continuing to search for items thrown for them (sticks or balls) when these have been lost in a pond or stream.  They won’t give up easily unless commanded to return without an item that they have been sent for.

Labradors generally enjoy swimming and splashing in the water and they love spending time with their family.  They have bags of patience for children and it really takes an awful lot to get a Labrador annoyed – and even then, they will normally just retreat. 

There are plenty of Labrador puppies for sale, but consider adopting one from an animal charity such as the RSPCA.  This is a much cheaper option than buying from a breeder or pet shop, and is a more responsible choice: it reduces the demand for new puppies to be bred, and you won’t be inadvertently supporting a disreputable breeder.  Some breeders can keep puppies separate from their mothers and each other and fail to socialise them properly.  It is very important that you meet the mother and the puppy itself before committing to buying from a breeder or pet shop: if adopting, the RSPCA will already have carried out extensive assessments of temperament before allowing a dog or puppy to be rehomed.

Labradors are gentle, loyal, friendly and fun to be with: what more could you ask for in a family dog?  


 
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The British Bulldog is a very misunderstood breed.  Its history stems from breeding designed to increase its prowess as a fighting dog, but it is now often kept as a family pet.  What is the true character of a British Bulldog?

Bulldogs are so named because of their original role, which was to chase and attack cows and bulls, grabbing them and keeping them still until their owners could get them under control and bring them back to the shed.   Their job also involved pinning bulls to the ground by their nose ring.  This job led to their reputation as an aggressive and cruel breed and coupled with their rather dour facial expressions they do not make many people want to keep them as pets.

But careful breeding over the years has led to a much friendlier dog and bulldog puppies are often bought as family pets. All pedigrees are bred for appearance and for temperament: the features or personality traits that are less attractive are bred out whilst the more attractive features and traits are encouraged. A male dog that has displayed aggression, for example, would not be allowed to breed by a responsible owner.

Bulldogs do have their flaws, but mostly these are seen as charming and rather endearing by people who love that breed. For example, they are stubborn and will not learn anything they do not want to – so don’t expect a very obedient dog that will sit on command. But their lack of willingness to learn tricks and commands has more to do with their general laziness and easy-going nature rather than any unwillingness to obey per se.

They don’t make brilliant guard dogs, but often their mere appearance can be off-putting to a would-be burglar. 

But they love being with their family, they are affectionate and protective. 

Remember always, though, that if you are searching for Bulldog puppies for sale or to buy a Bulldog from a pet shop or breeder, you must research the breeder or shop as thoroughly as you research the breed. Unscrupulous breeders do not care about what personality characteristics they breed into their puppies and do not take care to socialise them properly before sale. Many of these breeders sell directly to pet shops and breed purely for profit. 

A really good alternative to buying Bulldog puppies is to adopt from an animal charity such as the RSPCA. Their staff will carefully check a dog or puppy for temperament and take great care to match a dog with a suitable owner. They will also have their puppies and dogs checked for health problems by a vet (Bulldogs, like all pedigrees, are known to have certain tendencies towards developing health problems, mainly affecting their breathing). You can ask the RSPCA to alert you if a Bulldog becomes available to adopt and to give you advice on how best to settle your new best friend into your family home. 


 
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If you are planning on taking your dog with you when you go on holiday this year, you will need to make sure that you are fully prepared.  Packing and organising luggage, tickets, bookings and so on for you and your human family can be trying enough; add to that the need to ensure that your dog is healthy and vaccinated and that they have everything they need for the journey and holiday and you’ll have a long ‘to do’ list!

So get organised nice and early and plan for all eventualities and you’ll be fine.  There are many dog friendly cottages and pet friendly cottages in the UK that offer accommodation that will welcome your pet(s) and that option reduces the amount of planning you’ll need to do, compared to planning a holiday abroad with your pet. 

Here is a list of things to help you to prepare for your holiday with your dog, wherever you are headed:
  •  Take your dog to the vet to make sure all its vaccinations and treatments for worms and fleas are up to date.   If you are travelling abroad, you will need to get all your paperwork sorted out for your pet passport (see next point below), so ask your vet how early you need to visit before your holiday starts.  Whether you’re travelling abroad or not, you’ll need to visit your vet a few days before you leave, for the most up-to-date treatment for worms and fleas.  Most places – even dog friendly cottages in the UK – will ask for proof of this (if they don’t, you should be worried about what your dog might pick up whilst they’re there).
  •  If you are travelling abroad, your pet must be micro-chipped and vaccinated at least 21 days before travel.  If you are going somewhere where there is a high incidence of rabies, you will also need to have a Blood Titer test done soon after vaccination – ask your vet for details.
  • If your dog tends to get travel sick, ask your vet for help in managing that before you travel.  If your dog gets really distressed by travelling then think hard about whether to take it at all – if you really must (say, if your dog would be more distressed by being cared for in a kennel) then ask your vet for advice on how to keep your dog calm.  Medication might be necessary.
  • Find out before you travel about where the local vet is, and take a note of their address and telephone number.  
  • Make sure you have appropriate restraints for travelling with your pet, either to keep them safe in your car or for transporting them on public transport (e.g. a pet carrier with proper ventilation and waterproof base).
  • If transporting your pet in a carrier, write your name and address and phone number on the case.
  • Remember to take:
- all your documents from your vet proving your pet’s health;
- Sheets and towels for lining the places where your dog might sleep, to keep shedding to a minimum;
- Your pet’s own bedding, for comfort and familiarity;
- Food and fresh water for the journey and for your stay. Dog friendly cottages often stock dog food but don’t assume that it will. A change to your dog’s normal diet might make it unwell anyway so take your own food.
- Food and water dishes;
- Dog toys and chews;
- Grooming tools;
- Bags to pick up your dog’s waste;
- Disinfectant and cleaning supplies;
- Any prescribed medication for your dog. 

Once you’ve got organised, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your holiday as a family.


 
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The summer is finally here!  If you haven’t already booked to go away this year, have you considered booking somewhere that will allow you to take your pet with you?  Even if you have already booked a holiday, is it somewhere that would also welcome your pet?

Taking our pets with us on holiday is a growing trend and one that seems set to increase as the price of boarding accommodation for pets rises.  Fortunately the number of pet friendly cottages is also increasing in number as people offering accommodation realise that there is a market for holidays catering for people and their pets.

Dog friendly cottages abound in the UK countryside, and this is arguably the best place to take your dog on holiday: all that free space for your dog to run around!  There are also plenty of dog friendly cottages close to the coast, so you can take your best friend for some fantastic walks along some of Britain’s best beaches.

There are other pet friendly hotels that welcome a wider range of pets such as cats and birds, but always check with the owners whether your particular pet would be able to stay.  Also check the rules before you book – many pet friendly cottages or dog friendly cottages state that pets must stay downstairs or keep off the furniture, for example, and if you feel that your pet would find that difficult then book somewhere else.

Most pet friendly cottages require proof that your pet is in good health and has been properly vaccinated (you can get this proof easily enough from your vet).  If they don’t ask to see this, think about how many other pets may have stayed there before you and what your pet might bring home with them (e.g. fleas, infection, worms) as a result. 

If you are taking your pet on holiday with you and are travelling by car, make sure that you take regular breaks for them to get some exercise and water.  If your pet suffers from travel sickness, ask your vet for advice well in advance of your travels.  And of course, never leave your pet in a car as they can suffer heat exhaustion and die within a very short space of time.

If you don’t want to take your pet on holiday or feel that you can’t because they don’t travel well, then finding suitable boarding accommodation that will care for your pet properly is the next best alternative.  Animal charities like the RSPCA receive lots of calls every year from concerned neighbours about pets that have been left at home alone: leaving bowls of food and water out for your pet is not good enough.  Water bowls can be knocked over; pets can eat all their food supplies in a couple of days; pets can become very distressed, confused and lonely at being left by their owners.  Even if you have someone who will call in and feed them every day, animals can feel very unhappy at being alone for most of their day.

So consider taking your pet on holiday with you this year.