Dog

Most people know the term “cold-pressed” from olive oil, but have you ever wondered what is behind the term “cold-pressed dog food”? We will explain the difference to conventional dog food and give tips on searching for the right dry dog food.

When both cats and dogs form part of your household, you may ask yourself if it would be harmful for them to eat from the other animal's bowl. There is a clear answer to this: dogs and cats need their own specific food. However, it's no cause for great concern if your canine companion occasionally has a nibble at the contents of your cat's bowl or vice versa. Be aware though that 90% of illnesses that cats and dogs suffer from can be traced back to inappropriate food.

The Golden Retriever is an even-tempered and adaptable dog breed. It was bred to be a hunting companion deployed together with other dogs, which can explain its extraordinary tolerance of fellow dogs, animals and humans too. The Golden Retriever is characterised by its will to please with a high level of attention and easiness to train. This tendency makes the breed a perfect family dog, very affectionate, gentle and happiest participating in all family activities. It easily fits in with its intended role. Along with its even temper, the Golden Retriever is a cheerful and lively dog with a high urge for activity, remaining playful into old age. All Retriever breeds are proven to come from Newfoundland. In the 19^th century, there was lively fish trading between Britain and Newfoundland. When staying in Newfoundland, British sailors were able to observe the island's robust and weather-resistant dogs at work. They were enthused by how these water-loving dogs retrieved mooring ropes from the water and fish that had fallen from fishing nets even in tempestuous weather. The sailors brought a few of these dogs known as little Newfoundlands or St John's dogs with them to Britain, where they were crossed with British hunting dogs, resulting in the Wavy-Coated Retriever. In 1864, Lord Tweedmouth purchased a striking yellow-coloured Wavy-Coated Retriever called Nous. He paired this male with a female Tweed Water Spaniel called Belle. This breed was also famous for good, tenacious retriever dogs. During the next 20 years, the Golden Retriever came into existence following further pairings of the offspring of Nous and Belle with Wavy-Coated Retrievers and Tweed-Water Spaniels, as well as Irish Setters. Golden Retrievers were then deployed for hunting, particularly of ducks, in order to retrieve dead birds from the water too. Their intelligence and adaptability also make them excellent guide, rescue, explosive or sniffer dogs.

When dogs don't want to obey, this is both stressful and from time to time rather dangerous. Stopping an instinct-driven dog that ignores its owner's commands can be a challenge. But why do some dogs refuse to be obedient? How can you avoid errors in training and how can you teach your dog to be obedient?

Be it with traffic lights, stairs or doors, a guide dog helps its blind or severely visually impaired owner get safely through day-to-day life. This allows many blind people to live a more independent life. Intensive training is behind this. Read here what guide dogs can do and what training is like.

Like with us humans, dogs can be courageous daredevils or fearful followers that are extremely cautious about new things. It can become problematic if a dog is very fearful in day-to-day situations or overreacts: a loud noise, staircase or certain people can fluster dogs out of all proportion. An overly fearful dog doesn't just make daily life complicated, but it is also a big strain for your dog itself. In the following article, we will give you some tips on how to help your dog to become more self-assured.

Diabetes is the most common hormonal metabolic disease affecting dogs and is typically accompanied by increased fluid consumption and regular urination. Females and breeds like the Samoyed or Miniature Schnauzer show an increased risk of falling ill with diabetes. The disease is divided into diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus, since their development process is different.

The joy surrounding a new puppy is huge and we animal lovers usually concern ourselves at the start of the new friendship with subjects like diet, great toys or the right training. It's often the case that we only ask ourselves whether and how puppies can be bathed when they first jump in a muddy puddle. All important information is summarised in the following article in order to answer this question for you:

All dog owners are familiar with their dog scratching once in a while. Increased scratching can often occur during the moulting phase in particular. However, if you observe that this itching goes beyond a normal level and your dog is also licking and cleaning itself more often, you should urgently follow up on it. Itching can hugely limit a dog's wellbeing and reduce its quality of life. Sometimes itching is so bad that neither the dog nor the owner can sleep any more. Itching can manifest in very different ways. The owner usually notices the dog scratching different parts of its body with its front or rear paws. This can affect all parts of the dog's body. For instance, shaking its head means that the ears are itching. Dogs lick and also fiddle with the paws or legs, or even the back and croup. If dogs have limited or no access at all to certain areas of their body, they rub them against the wall or carpet to reduce their itching. In many cases, however, it doesn't just stop at itching. Cats can suffer from inflammations through constant scratching and bacteria, yeast fungi and other pathogens can pave the way for infections. Skin infections increase itching on top of everything, so the dog becomes trapped in a vicious circle of itching.

A sporty dog from the US Midwest, the American Water Spaniel is rarely found both in Europe and its country of origin.

The Goldendoodle isn't a breed, but a pairing between Golden Retrievers and Medium or Standard Poodles. Marketed as a low-maintenance dog for allergy sufferers, this hybrid is enjoying increasing popularity amongst dog lovers, similar to the Labradoodle.

An adorable, pocket-sized version of a Pinscher? Do not be fooled! If you are looking for a cute, cuddly little lapdog, then you have come to the wrong place. In spite of its size, this bright family dog has a huge appetite for sport and movement, and will run its owners off their feet in so many ways!

Cheap and yellow – tennis balls are popular dog toys. Read here why there aren't suitable toys for your dog.

Many people are currently spending more time than usual at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. Not just gym closures have led many people to look for opportunities to keep fit in the four walls of their home. All the better if their dog benefits too. So how about dog yoga? We'll offer tips for interested yoga fans and those who want to become one.

Only for big dogs? No way! Small dogs too can have plenty of fun with agility. Find out here whether your little dog is suited to this dynamic dog sport and which five factors you as a dog owner have to take into account.

Dog lovers like to take their four-legged best friends everywhere with them. As long as it's just ventures within the city, it's self-explanatory that our four-legged family members go everywhere with us. But what's the situation when it comes to holidays? What are the possibilities for animal lovers when moving a long distance? Is there the opportunity to take a dog on a plane? Or is it better for dog owners to tackle long journeys by car?

The joy surrounding a new puppy is huge and we animal lovers usually concern ourselves at the start of the new friendship with subjects like diet, great toys or the right training. It's often the case that we only ask ourselves whether and how puppies can be bathed when they first jump in a muddy puddle. All important information is summarised in the following article in order to answer this question for you:

No question about it – vaccinations help protect your dog from deadly infectious diseases. But which vaccinations should your dog have? What does your puppy actually receive in its initial immunisations, and how often should your dog have boosters to ensure life-long protection?

If a puppy has moved into your home, it might need time to adapt to a new environment. In the beginning, the main thing is giving a sense of security to your puppy. Give it time to explore the house. After a few days, you will recognise that your little housemate is becoming more confident. Now is the time to find ways to entertain your puppy.