Monday 26th August 2024 is International dog Day

A lady called Colleen Paige founded International Dog Day back in 2004. It was a tribute to her beloved Sheltie, adopted as an ‘oldie’ at 10 years old. But she still had a lot of love to give in return.

The History of dogs

• Dogs have been living among us for over 15000 years.
• The very earliest ancestor of the dog was a cat! Or at least a cat-sized, tree-climbing, insect-eating beastie called a Miacis. Miacis is the common ancestor of wolves and dogs. It lived around 55 million years ago – 10 million years after the dinosaurs died out.
• Dogs and wolves parted company on the evolutionary tree between 27000 and 40000 years ago. 

Some fun facts about dogs

• Super Sniffers – Dogs have 10000-100000 times more sensitive sense of smell than humans. Their scent receptors outnumber ours’ 50 to 1. So don’t expect them to hurry when checking out every single blade of grass on the morning walk!
• There are over 360 different breeds of dogs – Ranging from the world’s smallest – a 9.14cm chihuahua called Pearl, to the world’s tallest ever – Zeus the Great Dane at 1.18 metres!
• Puppy Dog eyes – They’re a real thing! Scientific researchers discovered that domestic dogs have special muscles around their eyes that aren’t present in wolves. They use these muscles to make expressions that humans find appealing! Who can resist??

The rights of a dog

Did you know that all pet owners in the UK have a legal duty to look after their pet’s welfare needs?

Section nine of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, states that all domestic animals have the legal right to:

• Live in a suitable environment – A warm bed, a safe space, protection from weather, noise and smoke
• Eat a suitable diet – A healthy doggy diet suitable for their age, breed and lifestyle. Keep your dog at a healthy weight and body condition for their sake. And avoid sugary fatty human food that ruins teeth and triggers serious tummy problems in dogs.
• Exhibit normal behaviour patterns – Dogs are playful, sociable animals. Let them play, sniff, fetch, dig and, yes, even bark!
• Be housed with, or apart from, other animals – Dogs need company. But they also need protection from conflict and danger. 
• Be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease – Prevent the preventable illnesses. Vaccinate, worm and flea-treat your dog regularly. Seek veterinary advice when your dog’s unwell. They can’t talk and often hide their struggles in their enthusiasm to please. It’s up to us to care.

All of this seems a small price to pay in return for a lifetime of companionship, loyalty and uncomplicated devotion. 

3. Dogs just wanna’ have fun!

Making playtime count

All dogs love to play. Playtime offers lots of benefits to us all.

• Exercise for health and fun – dogs love to run. Just watch your dog doing the zoomies to see! How much energy your dog needs to release depends on their breed. A spaniel will keep you out for hours and still want more! An English Bulldog may be more at home upside down on the sofa. But still needs exercise for better health.
• Playtime for Mental Health – Playing with games and puzzles prevents boredom. Reducing the likelihood of destructive and anti-social behaviour.
• Bonding time for you and your dog – What better way to bond with your furball than over a good game of tug or fetch.

Games and toys – for International Dog Day. For every day!

• Fetch toys to burn off energy – everything from tennis balls to squeaky flying saucers. Dogs love to chase. Even better if you train them to fetch and bring it back to you. Tip: Always make a fuss of your dog before trying to take the ball from them. Reward them for bringing the prize to you. Then make a fuss of them after giving it to you.
• Chew toys for boredom-busting and dental health – chewing and tongue movements are great for keeping teeth clean and healthy. And for hours of canine contentment. Options include rubber chews, natural bone products, chew ‘treats’ and more. Match the chew to your dog’s size and age. Hard chews may break teeth. Small chew toys or treats that break up risk choking. Check the calorie content of chew treats and use sparingly. Ask a vet for advice on safe, healthy chew treats for your dog.
• Interactive games and puzzles – Like the Kong Gyro, classic Kongs, Nina Ottosson Challenge Slider for canine einsteins or Rosewood Reindeer Snuffle Forage Mat for four legged foragers. Active brains are less likely to resort to chewing the furniture or barking at the neighbours.

4. Sharing our lives with dogs

A dog for everyone?

With so many sizes, temperaments and breeds to choose from, it should be possible to find a canine companion that suits your lifestyle and preferences. But best to give careful thought to what that means.

• Looks aren’t everything – It’s easy to fall for teddy-bear cuteness or be drawn to the lithe lines of a sighthound. But consider the temperament, exercise requirements and care needs of the breed, or the breeds that make up the newer mixes – Cockapoo, Goldendoodle, Puggle and so on!
• Size matters – Big dogs need a lot of space and a lot of feeding. It’s not just feeding costs, but also kennelling, vet bills and who gets room on the sofa. Small dogs with little legs may struggle with those long weekend yomps through heather and bracken. Though they may loudly argue otherwise!
• Good breeding a good guide? – Buying a pedigree puppy from a reputable breeder is essential. But ask yourself whether you need a purebred puppy from a breeder. Or whether a mixed-breed adult dog looking for a forever home would fit the bill in your life. Purebreds have the benefit of generally known temperaments, sizes and lifespans. An adult cross-breed rescue will generally have fewer breed-related health concerns. And will likely cost less to adopt and care for.

Everyone for a dog?

• Lifespan – dogs’ lifespans can be 10-13 years or more. Are you in the position to make a lifetime commitment?
• Company – dogs are social animals. They need company. Ideally yours, and other canine companions. No dog thrives if deprived of this. Are you working? Can you afford Doggy daycare or walkers?
• Costs – From feeding and equipment to holiday care and vet bills. It may cost on average £150/month to keep a dog. It’ll vary a lot between sizes and breeds but expect to pay between £5000 and £15000 over your dog’s lifetime. And this figure could also be spent in a few days if your dog develops a serious illness or has an accident! Veterinary care has come a long way. But it’s at a cost.

5. Adoption and Rescue

‘Don’t shop, Adopt!’ – A motto of International Dog Day 

At a rough estimate, there are over 100,000 dogs in UK shelters and Rescue centres alone. Not to mention all the foreign rescue centres advertising on social media every day. 1 in 10 dogs in the UK were rehomed last year. These sad figures grow ever higher as times get hard and families struggle. The rewards of adopting a dog can be immeasurable. Whether it’s a puppy, an adult or one of the ever-increasing number of older dogs looking for a home. Opening your home and heart to a rescue dog can bring immeasurable rewards in unconditional love and joy.  

Is adoption right for you? 

Giving a home to a homeless or abandoned pet comes with both rewards and challenges. So many dogs need and deserve a forever home. All have something to give in the right home. But getting it right for you and them individually means forcing your head to rule your heart. Every day we’ll hear so many heartbreaking stories of ill-treated and abandoned dogs looking for homes. Is it you they’re looking for?

• What are you looking for? – Most rescue centres are full of mixed breed dogs and popular, though misunderstood breeds, like Staffies. If you are looking for a purebred dog, consider individual Breed Rescue Societies. The Kennel Club has lists of these.
• Do you have the time and patience? – It takes months, not hours, not even weeks, to settle into a new life with a rehomed pet. And stress, anxiety, boredom and fear may result in challenging behaviours, like resource guarding or separation anxiety. Many established rescue centres encourage gradual introductions and offer practical post-adoption support. 
• Who else shares your life and home?  – Young children, other pets and likely visitors all influence the suitability of your match with a rescue dog. 

Adopting a dog may carry fewer upfront costs compared with the eye-watering sums being asked for puppies. But when any new dog comes home, there are costs to feed and care for them. And possible illnesses that only come to light over time. The commitment is no less. But the love rescue dogs bring is more than equal!

6. Common Health conditions affecting dogs

The 3 most common health conditions vets see today are:

• Gum disease – Over 80% of UK dogs over 3 years old have gum disease. It’s worst in short-faced breeds with overcrowded mouths. And even if your dog doesn’t complain, dental disease hurts! And dental surgery can be very costly. Brush your dog’s teeth every day. It’s never too early or too late to start. And sugary human foods are even worse for dogs’ teeth and health than humans’!

• Skin disease – Itchy skin and ear infections are common all year round, but especially in the warmer summer months. Food and environmental allergens can all trigger them. Check your dog’s ears and clean them regularly if they have long floppy ears and/or love to go swimming! Regular flea treatment is a must – monthly or 3 monthly depending on the product. There’s even a yearly injection coming on the prescription market soon!
• Obesity – No dog should be obese, whatever their breed or age. There’s a direct link between obesity and other distressing illnesses, including arthritis, hormonal imbalances and even some cancers. We can control obesity if we treat it as the serious illness it is. Work with your vet or practice weight clinic to manage ongoing weight challenges.

7. The Paw-some Hall of Canine Fame

From the sled to the stars

Balto: The Saviour of Nome

In 1925, Balto, a Siberian Husky, led the final relay of sled dogs to deliver life-saving medicine to Nome, Alaska. Racing through blizzards, Balto’s team delivered Diphtheria antitoxin serum from Anchorage, saving countless lives. Balto is commemorated with a statue in Central Park, New York, celebrating his bravery and the spirit of Alaskan sled dogs

Rin Tin Tin

Rin Tin Tin, a German Shepherd, starred in silent movies and was rescued by an American serviceman from France before the end of World War I. Appearing in over 20 hit films, he helped save Warner Brothers from bankruptcy. Rin Tin Tin had a personal chef who prepared his daily tenderloin steak, which he ate while listening to classical music.

Laika – The Most Famous and Saddest Dog

On November 4, 1957, Russian spacecraft Sputnik 2 launched with Laika, a Moscow street dog, as the first living creature to orbit Earth. Her journey marked progress in space exploration, but she tragically died hours into the flight, terrified and overheated. Laika’s name symbolizes both progress and sacrifice in space exploration.

International Dog Day wouldn’t be complete without a tribute to brave little Laika. And a call to humans everywhere to treat our 4-legged friends with the compassion, respect and care they deserve.

      For Laika.