Recent content by cockergirl

My dogs have been wormed with Drontal in the past- until they had the problems you describe. When I spoke to the vet she said it was common with Drontal, and changed my dogs onto Milbemax (which they now use routinely as so many dogs seemed to have had issues with Drontal.) Never had a problem...

My 2 have Arden Grange- it's normally about £40 for a big bag which lasts ages (about 3 months for both dogs!), but I get it from someone for £25 a time. My dogs are only dinky though- the cocker could get fat just thinking about food and although the little black hearthrug-type dog is bigger...

Labs (mainly black), border collies, springers, GSD's and cockers are all pretty common round here. I've seen more and more weimaraners in the past couple of years. There are quite a few yorkies round here, too, and Shih-tzus. (I live in an area with great dog-walking and lots of local elderly...

I believe an electric collar is only as cruel as the person using it. I have seen one in use and tried the collar's "shock" on myself- it actually felt like a TENS machine, not an electric fence. A tickly feeling, really. Certainly not painful. But of course it could be used to administer a...

Don't have a toy dog but agree with prose about Papillons- that would be my toy dog of choice. There's one in my obedience class and it's fab- also loves agility. A real fun little dog with a bright mind.

I agree with milor- it's really pot-luck with cross-breeds as to what sort of temperament they will have. I own a cross-breed rescue dog; God knows what breeds are in there, but certainly a herding breed of some sort and something with boundless energy and no fear, but also (down to luck rather...

Some very useful advice given already! I just wanted to say that, while you shouldn't over-exercise a puppy (the rule given is generally 5 mins for every month of their life up to a year of age), and playing in the garden is enough physically; it's incredibly important to make sure you socialise...

I am so sorry. It's very sad indeed.

The benefits of castration, as has already been said, are health-related: castration eliminates (or can help prevent) numerous disorders such as testicular and prostate cancer, bladder problems and hernias. It prevents escaping and roaming, and the listlessness that some entire males suffer when...

Thanks for that- the website is great! I'm getting a pin brush with very long pins which will hopefully help no end.

Oh, I'm so sorry. And what a sweet looking little dog! RIP Tom x

Wow! The furminator is pretty impressive when you see it in action! I don't know if it would get through her coat though- I know she looks fairly chunky in the pics but it really is all hair- when she's wet, she looks like a whippet in a wig.

Oh, he's beautiful! I would love him; but sadly my husband would kill me if I got another dog. I'm sure he won't have to wait long for a lovely home!

As everyone else has said- find a new vet. It's a very old-fashioned view (not to mention downright irresponsible, particularly from a vet) that having a litter is necessary before spaying and a lot of vets now advise spaying before the first season; apparently this is the best way to reduce...

Thank you very much! I use a Mason Pearson brush on my own hair so I know they're worth the money- I'll have a look for something appropriately heavy duty. I do have a vast array of brushes, combs, slickers etc. (none of which is making the job particularly easy); I'm a bit of a grooming product...