I've realised there's been a distinct lack of polls on our blog - so I thought I'd run one! It's just for fun, to see if lots of people vote. If they do, I'll be running a poll more often to get opinions on all matter of doggy (and perhaps non-doggy) issues.
To kick off, a quick overview of the most popular dog types out there. Please note it is just for fun; I love all types of dogs and would happily own a crossbreed, but that doesn't stop me being a fan of certain breeds (mostly hounds). Is there a particular type that you just can't help falling for?
You can choose more than one if you just can't quite decide!
Showing posts with label working dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label working dogs. Show all posts
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Monday, 13 October 2008
Meet Dogs Trust's Dogs: Dennis
Dennis' 'mum', Donna, is quite new to Dogs Trust, having taken on the role of Education Officer in Leeds recently. As she spends her days giving workshops, helping teachers and pupils access resources and promoting Dogs Trust's message of responsible dog ownership, she has Dennis and Maisy at her side. This week Dennis takes centre stage, but check back next Monday for Maisy's profile!
Name: Dennis Sayce
Breed: Wire haired Jack Russell cross
Colour: White and brindle
Age: 6
Who's your favourite two-legged friend at Dogs Trust? Anyone who will play fetch with me!
Who's your favourite four-legged friend at Dogs Trust? My ‘sister’ Maisy
What's your favourite toy? Squeaky balls, tugger toys, footballs, rugby balls, Frisbee……. The list is endless!
What's your favourite treat? CHEESE!
What do you dream about? Running along the beach playing with the rugby ball!
Where's the best place to take a walk? Definitely the local woods….. all those smells and sticks!
What are you favourite activities? I am a keen swimmer! And love to run and play all day with my doggy friends
What's the one thing you can't stand? Having my coat brushed!
What do your humans like best about you? My handsome face, and curly tail!
How did you meet your humans? I was found as a stray when I was five months old. My mum saw me and took me home for the night as I looked so sad. That was 5 ½ years ago!
Previous Dogs Trust Dogs: Megan | Liniker
If you're a teacher interested in hosting a workshop with Donna or a student who wants to learn more about dogs, you can find out more on our website.
Friday, 18 July 2008
Police pup in training stolen from back garden
A black German Shepherd pup has been taken from a property in Stourbridge, West Midlands. Xamm (pictured), a three-month-old police dog in training, was lifted from the back garden of a member of the West Mids police force socialisation team on the 16th of July.She was wearing a collar and tag identifying her as a police dog.
Inspector Stuart Manley, head of the force dog unit, comments:
"All of us at the dog unit, and the family who were looking after Xamm, are upset by this incident. She is a lovely puppy who has just come into our training programme. We are primarily concerned about having the dog returned as she needs scheduled veterinary treatment and appeal to anyone who knows of her whereabouts to get in contact."Xamm has reportedly yet to finish her vaccination schedule. She was last seen around 7pm on the night that she disappeared, and is a relatively rare and therefore distinctive breed.
Anyone who thinks they have seen Xamm or has any information about the theft should call West Midlands Police on 0845 113 5000.
[via BBC News]
Friday, 18 April 2008
Working dogs and specialist homes
If you're a supporter of Dogs Trust, you'll know we have a strict policy of never putting a healthy dog down. So what do we do when encountered with a dog that might never make a suitable family pet due to hyperactive, feisty behaviour?
When I first started this job, a lot of people asked me this. My first response was always that the sponsor a dog programme is designed precisely for cases where, due to behavioural issues, ill health, age or other factors, a dog is unlikely to be rehomed. But for young, vibrant dogs there's also the option of becoming a working dog, something I hadn't considered much before becoming part of the team here.
As it turns out, boisterous dogs are always needed by the Armed Forces and prison services, while those dogs who are obsessed with their toys are much in demand for training as sniffer dogs.
The notion of a 'working' dog can be quite strange to some people, I think. The only ones I come into contact with on a regular basis are guide dogs, so I was subconsciously accustomed to the idea that working dogs are pretty docile, albeit with a fierce intelligence. Yet the Armed Forces, for example, look for dogs that have a drive for possession, are inquisitive and won't back down from confrontation.
Many qualities, then, that we wouldn't seek in a family pet, but that make for the extraordinary working animals who have featured in high profile police investigations and saved lives. They're not all work, work, work (sorry!) either. When talking to our subscriber magazine, Wag, PC Jacqui Hamilton gushed about her beloved partner Incy, who might be a determined cash detection dog - seeking laundered money - at work, but is a cuddly friend at home.
I had long suspected that not all working dogs are Hollywood-style big, bold, stereotypically "scary"-looking dogs, either. Quite right too; Incy is a Labrador/Staffy cross, and Ziggy, an active search dog in the prison service, is a friendly Springer Cocker cross (that's a 'Sprocker', apparently!).
Of course, you might be wondering, as I was, what happens when bright sparks like Incy and Ziggy come to the end of their careers. Well, the handler is offered first refusal on rehoming, and very often the dogs stay with them or go to their friends, family or a familiar colleague who has bonded with them.
If not, Dogs Trust is always here to help.
When I first started this job, a lot of people asked me this. My first response was always that the sponsor a dog programme is designed precisely for cases where, due to behavioural issues, ill health, age or other factors, a dog is unlikely to be rehomed. But for young, vibrant dogs there's also the option of becoming a working dog, something I hadn't considered much before becoming part of the team here.
As it turns out, boisterous dogs are always needed by the Armed Forces and prison services, while those dogs who are obsessed with their toys are much in demand for training as sniffer dogs.
The notion of a 'working' dog can be quite strange to some people, I think. The only ones I come into contact with on a regular basis are guide dogs, so I was subconsciously accustomed to the idea that working dogs are pretty docile, albeit with a fierce intelligence. Yet the Armed Forces, for example, look for dogs that have a drive for possession, are inquisitive and won't back down from confrontation.
Many qualities, then, that we wouldn't seek in a family pet, but that make for the extraordinary working animals who have featured in high profile police investigations and saved lives. They're not all work, work, work (sorry!) either. When talking to our subscriber magazine, Wag, PC Jacqui Hamilton gushed about her beloved partner Incy, who might be a determined cash detection dog - seeking laundered money - at work, but is a cuddly friend at home.
I had long suspected that not all working dogs are Hollywood-style big, bold, stereotypically "scary"-looking dogs, either. Quite right too; Incy is a Labrador/Staffy cross, and Ziggy, an active search dog in the prison service, is a friendly Springer Cocker cross (that's a 'Sprocker', apparently!).
Of course, you might be wondering, as I was, what happens when bright sparks like Incy and Ziggy come to the end of their careers. Well, the handler is offered first refusal on rehoming, and very often the dogs stay with them or go to their friends, family or a familiar colleague who has bonded with them.
If not, Dogs Trust is always here to help.
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