Copyright Ian Billinghurst.

Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia and Shoulder Dysplasia; these, and a host of related bone and joint diseases continue to mount their attacks on young dogs, particularly pups of the larger breeds, despite mass radiography and ruthless culling. What are we doing wrong? Why do these problems appear and reappear in supposedly disease-free lines? Our failure to eliminate Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, despite elaborate and costly schemes aimed at their eradication, compels us to ask… “Are our efforts entirely misdirected?” Should we be looking elsewhere for a solution?

Are we barking up the wrong tree?
To find out…Read More…

Copyright © Ian Billinghurst

There are a number of myths concerning the physiology of companion animals, which are being used by pet food companies to sell their products. These myths are being used to persuade the owners of pet animals to feed only modern cooked and otherwise processed (usually grain-based) foods. These myths are being presented as fact and accepted as such, when there is not a single scrap of evidence to verify their truth. This is highly unfortunate for our pets.

These myths or lies have become accepted by most pet owners, dog breeders and indeed vets as being a part of natural indisputable scientific law, when in fact, they have very little or no basis in fact. They are at best, half-truths, blatant errors of fact; at worst, they are downright lies.

If your dog goes missing and is lost, your dog is likely to be picked up by
a local authority dog warden, an animal welfare or rescue organisation or the police. These people can read your dog’s collar and telephone you to let you know that your dog’s safe or if you have your dog micro chipped, they can contact you using the Kennel Club’s Petlog database, 365 days of the year.
Other ways to help find your pet are:
• Telephoning Petlog immediately if your dog is micro chipped on 0870 606 6751;
• Searching the area where your dog likes his walks and play.
• Leaving your details and a picture/description of your pet with as many people as possible, especially those delivering letters, newspapers and milk
• Advertising in the ‘Lost’ section of local newspapers – read the ‘Found’ adverts too
• Calling the dog warden, local vet or police station
• Visiting nearby animal welfare and rescue centres. Ensure you look into each enclosure
• Calling radio stations that announce lost and found pets
• Visiting the website: www.doglost.co.uk
• Putting up posters in pet shops, vets, supermarkets, restaurants, local stores and post offices
• Keeping an up-to-date photograph of your pet in this booklet
• Not restricting your search to just one small area. Dogs can stray for long distances.

Your legal responsibility as a dog owner

As a responsible dog owner, it is important for you to meet with the requirements of the law. There are a number of Acts and Orders which all dog owners should be aware of.
Control
• Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (outside London) and Metropolitan Police Act 1839 (London)
These Acts make it an offence to allow an unmuzzled, ferocious dog to be left at large, or for a person to set on or to urge any dog attack, worry or put in fear any person or animal in the street.

• Dogs Act 1871
Under this Act, a court may, upon complaint that a dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control, order the owner to keep him under proper control or to be destroyed.

• Animals Act 1971
Under this Act a dog may be shot, without warning, by a farmer for worrying his livestock and the owner could face criminal prosecution for the same offence under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

• Road Traffic Act 1988
This makes it an offence to have a dog on a designated road without the dog being held on a lead.

• Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
This Act allows local authorities to designate areas of land where dogs must be kept on leads, or where dogs are excluded and also place limits on the number of dogs walked by a single person.

• Guard Dogs Act 1975
It is an offence to use or permit the use of a guard dog on any premises unless the handler, who is capable of controlling him, is present on the premises and the dog is under control. The dog must be secured so that he is not at liberty to go about the premises. A warning that a guard dog is present must be clearly exhibited at each entrance to the premises.

• Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) 1991
There are two main sections to this Act. Section 1 applies to four specific breeds of dog including ‘the type of dog known as the pit bull terrier’. Owners of these breeds had to comply with certain legal requirements, including having their dog registered, neutered, microchipped and tattooed. One of the main problems with this law is that the pit bull terrier is not a recognised breed in the UK. As a result, many owners of cross breeds which resemble a pit bull terrier ‘type’ have been charged under the Act.

Section 3 applies to all dogs, making it a criminal offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place. This includes instances where there is fear that an injury might occur.
Owners found guilty under either section of the Act could have their dog destroyed, face the possibility of six months in prison and/or a fine not exceeding level 5 (at present up to £5,000).

Responsible Ownership
• Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
Local authorities have the power to introduce and enforce dog fouling byelaws under which a person in charge of a dog can be heavily fined for allowing dogs to foul in a public place. This designated land may include roads, parks and other public areas within the local authority’s boundaries; in fact any land which is open to the air and to which the public are permitted to have access. An offence is committed if a person in charge of a dog fails to clean up its faeces. It is no defence to claim ignorance of the dog’s actions, the law, or not to have a device available to remove the faeces. This could result in a prosecution and fine.

Protection of Animals
There are several Acts on the Statute Book which protect dogs from ill treatment, among them are the following:

• The Protection of Animals Act 1911
This makes it an offence to cruelly beat, kick, ill treat, torture, infuriate or terrify any animal. It is also an offence by action or omission to cause unnecessary suffering, or, being the owner, permit any unnecessary suffering to be caused to the animal. This Act was amended to allow an owner to be banned from keeping a dog either for life or for such a period as the court thinks fit.

• Abandonment of Animals Act 1960
This Act extends the definition of cruelty to include abandonment of an animal.

A highly nutritious training treat made from human quality ingredients.

1 lb Liver [preferably Lambs]
1 lb Flaked oats
1 Eggs
2 Cloves Garlic/ or 2 tsps garlic puree.

Put all the ingredients into a blender until the mixture is smooth,
Pour into greased 12-inch square baking tin and place in the oven [Gas Mark 4] for around 30-40 minutes.
Leave to cool and cut into bite size pieces. (1/4-inch Square)
It can be frozen into individual bags [enough for a couple of weeks of training]

My dog’s favourite training treat!
Stephen G King

Using all human ingredients..
5oz canned tuna
5oz milled oats (rolled oats? What I would eat for breakfast oats)
2 tablespoons cottage cheese.
Half an apple, grated – any red version, green too sharp, usually
Half a large carrot, grated
Spices from the spice rack – ground ginger, ground garlic, Mediterranean herbs – a good sprinkling of each (teaspoon- ish) half pint of water

Instructions:
put them all in a big bowl and mix thoroughly, for about a minute.
Then tip the mass onto a 12in square baking sheet, lined with kitchen foil (greased) . Use the back of a spoon and spread the mix all over the baking tray. It should cover the whole thing. These will be thin treats, not like big chewy bars! Cook in top of oven for 20 minutes at 392 degrees F. Top should be golden brown.

When cooked leave to cool, then cut into one-quarter inch squares. These treats flex, they are not solid.

I have tried them in the freezer, they do freeze, and once left for a good while to defrost, Missy was just as interested in them!
I have also changed the tuna for minced chicken, and for salmon. The salmon isn’t quite as popular.

Kindly sent in by Pat Elliott who owns missy a Batersea dog. Read about Missy…

Question: Does anyone have any tips for wind in dogs, Mine keeps F**ting, its getting to the stage where I dont want to have guests. It smells so bad! He is on a mix of wet and dry food, My friend advised just dry foos, but I though that was a bit cruel?

Answer: A great question that has been asked for the last 20 odd years. Lets look at the evolution of the species, dogs have been around for thousands of years and believe it or not are carnivores not as some vet would tell you herbivores. Carnivores are meet and bone eating animals, just look at the Wolf, Coyote and even the British fox all eat from the wild. Of course dogs are not any of these species but do have 42 teeth when fully grown and have between 400 to 600 pounds per square inch pressure within the jaw area. Why have these tools for dissecting food if your are not allowed to use them. For me reducing periodontal problems such as foul rotting mouth and WIND high quality proteins are essential, such as chicken, lamb and even some liver. Mixing food is highly advantages and anyone who suggests otherwise is repeating what manufactures and veterinary surgeons are saying to sell THEIR food. One American vet I work with has told me to tell your clients to feed a variety of quality proteins so as to make sure that they get all the necessary ingredients for a long and healthy life. Just imagine if we applied the same information to humans and fed ourselves just one food, how would you feel? Visit rawmeatybones.com for information on natural feeding. Recommended book: Works Wonders, Feed your dog raw meaty bones crosskeysbooks.com

Question: Is once a week too often to bath my Staffy?

Answer: Sunflower oil is good for coat condition and in quality pet foods such as Nutro you get that in the ingredients. Checking and brushing your dog each day should keep your dog tidy and clean. Low quality treats/dog food have the tendency to allow the fat cells to fill up with metabolic waste which over time creates that OLD dog smell and other problems such periodontal and muscle spasms, so diet once again is the key. Visit Nutro UK nutro.co.uk

Question: Is it cruel for a dog to live outside? it is walked regularly, has a large enough kennel, fed well and is well loved by all the family. Please let me know what you think…..i dont know what to do????

Answer: Well isn’t it about peoples personal choice? Dogs can be homed INDOORS and have very little stimulation, they look at four walls waiting for that walk, which they get once a day! Dogs that live outside are much healthier than indoor dogs, so given that if you add enrichment programs/training that satisfy the dogs behavioural needs; you’re doing a great job!

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to watch what your puppy or dog is eating when left alone in the garden or around the house. So many things are waiting to make then very ill or kill them.

All evergreen plants in the garden can be toxic to dogs, and usually they will leave them alone, but be careful if you are in the garden cutting back your plants and the dog starts chewing on a recently cut branch.

In the garden

Extremely toxic
Clematis armandii – a single leaf may kill a small dog

Range from mildly toxic to deadly poisonous
African violet (leaves)Amaryllis (bulbs)Angel’s trumpetsDatura or brugmansiaArrow grassesAutumn crocusAzaleas (leaves)Bluebells
Box (leaves)Buttercup (entire plant)Castor bean (leaves and seed)Christmas rose (leaves, root)ChrysanthemumClematis arnamdii (entire plant)Columbine or aquilegiaDaffodil (bulbs)DaphneDumb cane or dieffenbachia (leaves, stems)Elder (leaves, root, bark)FlakFoxgloveFritillaryGlory lily**
Glorisa superbaHemlockHolly (berries)Horse chestnut (nuts, leaves)
Hyacinth (bulbs)Hydrangea macrophyllaIris (roots)Ivy (entire plant)
Laburnum (leaves, seeds)Larkspur (leaves, seeds) Lily of the valleyLobelia
Lupin (leaves, seeds)Mistletoe (berries)MonkshoodMorning glory (seeds, roots)NightshadesOleanderPhilodendron (leaves)Poinsettia (sap)
Poppy (unripe seedpod)Potato (green skin and sprouts)Primrose (leaves, berries)
Privet (leaves)Rhododendron (entire plant)Rhubarb (leaves)Snowdrops
SpurgeEuphorbiaStar of BethlehemOrnithogalumSweet peasWalnut (green hull juice)Wisteria (pod, seeds)Yarrow (achillea)Yew (entire plant)

Around the house

Drugs
Calamine Lotion** Emollient creams e.g. E45, petroleum jellyfolic acid Garlic capsuleshomoeopathic remedieshormone replacement (HRT) preparationsoral contraceptives‘over the counter antacidssteroid preparationszinc oxide creams e.g. sudocrem

Any drug that is taken accidentally can be harmful

Household products
Artifical sweetenersblu-tack and similar adhesivescutflower/houseplantfoodexpanded polystyrene matches** mercury(thermometers)silica gelwax candles/crayons

In the garage
Antifreeze (this has a sweet taste that dogs like so be very careful)**