Every dog deserves a wonderful home and every wonderful home deserves to have a dog who is the perfect fit for them.

I​n this edition of "the Dish", a Canadian Kennel Club member shares his ideas on how we can promote purebred dogs in our day-to-day lives. 

Aces in their Places. Taking a look at the important task of puppy placement.

Robust, intelligent and agile

In this edition of "The Dish", we meet the Appenzeller Sennenhund. A breed that has recently joined the Herding Group as a Listed Breed.

Meet the Bergamasco Shepherd 

Loyal, Affectionate and Intelligent.

The Biewer Terrier is now eligible to compete as a Listed Breed in the Toy Group.

This edition of "The Dish" will introduce you this tri-colored toy terrier whose only purpose in life is to love and be loved.
 

National Golden Retriever Day is celebrated each year on February 3rd. Today we celebrate one of the most popular dog breeds in Canada.

Find out more about this beautiful member of the Canadian Kennel Club’s Sporting Group in this edition of “The Dish”. 

Purebred Dogs made a triumphant return to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair right on time for their 100th anniversary!

Read all about the shows, demonstrations and “Meet the Breeds” in this week’s edition of “The Dish”.  

Athletic and intelligent, the Dalmatian excels at many dog sports.

Learn more about this energetic member of the Non-Sporting Group in this week’s edition of “The Dish”.

This week’s edition of “The Dish” will introduce you to the Yakutian Laika.

Hailing from Russia’s Far East, the Yakutian Laika joins the Canadian Kennel Club’s Working Group as a Listed Breed.

Loyal, fast, and friendly

Meet the unique Bedlington Terrier in this week's edition of "the Dish". 

Loyal and powerful and funny

Meet the Alaskan Malamute in this week's edition of "The Dish".

While gifting a puppy as a Christmas present may not be a good idea, giving a Puppy Basket filled with essentials the new owners will need is!

This week's edition of "The Dish" will give you some ideas as to what to give expecting owners this holiday season.

Fast, regal and loyal.

Meet the aristocratic Borzoi in this week's edition of "The Dish".

Is getting two puppies at the same time a good idea?

Find out in this week's edition of "The Dish".

While hawk, owl and eagle attacks on humans are rare, they are much more common on household pets. Unfortunately, many owners don’t know about the danger until it’s too late.  

This week's edition of "The Dish" shares tips on how you can reduce the chances of an aerial attack on your dog.

Responsible breeders ask a lot of questions before placing their pride and joy pups new homes. This often takes place in an online puppy questionnaire and through conversations.

This blog will give new puppy buyers a sense of some potential questions a breeder might ask and why.

Let's answer some questions new puppy buyers might ask!

If you’re buying a purebred puppy for the first time, you might be overwhelmed with all the paperwork! Buying a puppy from a responsible breeder does entail a fair bit of documentation, reading and signing. This week’s blog looks at the paperwork that helps protect you, your new puppy and the breeder.

"The Puppy Blues"

Everyone compliments your puppy, and you know they are great, so why do you feel so overwhelmed, anxious, regretful, or down? It's likely something we call the “Puppy Blues". The condition is usually temporary and you can read more about it in this blog.

How to avoid this expensive and heartbreaking act of fraud

As puppy purchases are on the rise across the country, many criminals are using this as an opportunity to rob innocent people. This edition of “The Dish” focuses on Puppy Scams and how to avoid becoming victim to one.

How to keep the dog smell out of your dog loving home

I have to admit that it makes me proud when visitors to my house comment on how they would “never know I have so many dogs”. Truth be told I only have 3 dogs currently so it’s not that many (in my opinion), but I do work hard to make sure my house does not smell like my house is overrun with dogs. After I receive the compliment, I usually joke to my guests that I believe “dogs should be seen not smelt”. Jokes aside, keeping your home free from doggy odours does require some chores and commitment, but the following steps can help you keep a cleaner, healthier home for both you and your dog.

My process of getting my dog comfortable around kids

Today, my partner sent me a video via text of my eighteen month old Dandie Dinmont Terrier in a nearby park playing happily with 3 children. The video was adorable and all parties seemed thrilled to be out in the sun together. Adorable videos like those are very special to me as my little Leroy wasn’t always comfortable around children.

A popular tool that must be used with extreme caution
 
While I share a common bond with all dog owners, I have a few dog care (or rather, lack of dog care) pet peeves. One is seeing a dog with overgrown nails. Another is owners not picking up after their dogs. The third is the incorrect use of retractable leads.
 
Retractable leashes are incredibly common- you can buy them at every pet supply store, big box stores and online. It would be rare to meet a dog owner who hasn’t bought a retractable leash at some point in their life. 

“Loyalty and Duty are Skye Terrier watch words and he never fails to adhere to the terms of that standard even when his owner may waiver. A Skye Terrier never forgets and never forgives.” Dr. Richard Meen.

With such a devoted nature in a size suited to city or country living with easier than it looks grooming requirements, you might be asking “Why are Skyes so rare?”. Other breeds have become more popular and with little ‘commercial’ popularity, the ownership of, and demand for Skye Terriers, has decreased. If you decide to get a Skye Terrier, you will not only be helping an endangered breed, but will probably be the only one in your neighbourhood with one. You will also get the chance to meet your neighbours often as everyone will be asking “What type of dog is that?!?”.

A huge dog with a heart to match, the Leonberger is a whole lot of awesome when put in the right home.

Standing as tall as 31 and a half inches at the shoulder with thick yellow gold to red-brown, medium-long coat and a black masked face that holds soulful eyes – it’s hard to forget a Leonberger once you’ve met one.

Some tips and advice for puppy buyers in the midst of the pandemic

I must say this is a blog I never imagined myself writing, but here we are. While our brave health care workers continue to fight the COVID-19 outbreak, puppy buyers are faced with many challenges this spring. Here are some tips and things to consider when buying a puppy during this difficult time.

Start the spring season off on a fresh note!

The snow has melted, the days are getting longer and the temperature is slowly beginning to rise which means spring is here! Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal so it’s not surprising that many of us like to make spring cleaning a ritual. While cleaning out your closet, shed and garage don’t forget about giving your dog supplies a good spring cleaning as well.

When I was a child, my mother enrolled my American Cocker Spaniel “Peanut” and I in a dog obedience training course that was specially designed for. The course was taught by a man who owned 3 Samoyeds and brought them to every class to demonstrate exercises. Before the course I had never laid my eyes on a Samoyed before. I remember telling my mom that they looked like “stuffed animals and Christmas morning”! Since then, I have remained enchanted by the breed and am not alone. The Samoyed has fans around the world and for good reason - they are charming, intelligent and sensitive dogs.
 

How to safely change homes with your best friend

I bought my first home recently. While I’m thrilled, I do feel that directors of every mortgage commercial are clearly renters as moving into a new house is nothing like what you see in the ads. It’s stress, stress and a washing machine that leaks.


 

Exercise doesn’t need to stop because of the snow

Just as it is for us humans, winter can make it hard to keep up an exercise routine for our dogs as well. Cold temperatures, snow and shorter days are among the challenges that can make exercising dogs outdoors in the winter season difficult and potentially hazardous. While walking your dog is a great way to exercise them year-round, there’s lots to consider before attaching their leash in the winter months.

Getting the word out about a fantastic, but vulnerable breed requires effort from all who love them.
 
How do you get people interested in a rare breed? Those of us who are campaigning to get our vulnerable breeds more exposure have asked ourselves this question time and time again. I believe that there isn’t one clear way to get people interested in your breed. The saying “throw enough mud at the wall and something will stick” comes to mind when I brainstorm ways of increasing the visibility of a rare breed. 

You WILL survive this phase with some knowledge, tricks and many withdrawals from your pool of patience! 

“What happened to my good puppy?” countless dedicated owners have asked themselves once their beloved pet turns 6 months mark and enters their “teenage months”. This period where your dog begins sexual maturity involves a ton of changes to your dog’s biological, physical, and psychological makeup. As a result, their behaviour is affected. 

Enjoy cottage country safely with your best friend.

Dogs and cottages seem to go hand in hand: the great outdoors and lots of free time to spend with your best friend. So many of my fondest cottage memories involve my dogs, and each summer I look forward to making more. Cottages can be fun for dogs, but the experience presents several hazards. With a little knowledge and planning, you can safely enjoy the cottage with your dog this year.

Being aware of potential hazards can help you and your dog have a Happy Easter.

Many families and friends gather this time of year to celebrate Easter and included in that guest list is, of course, our beloved dogs. While Easter is a fun and cherished holiday, as with any gathering where food and a large number of people are involved, it can present some dangers to our pups. I’ve listed some items to be cautious of this Easter because when it comes to dogs, preventing a situation is a thousand times better than having to deal with one.

A few bits of advice to help those with a new puppy.

I’ve written several blogs on puppies and will probably write dozens more. Since new puppy owners don’t have tons of spare time, I thought I would put together a quick list of tips to help puppy owners during the first few special and challenging months with their gorgeous new pack member.

Signs to look for when buying a puppy.

If you look up the word “breeder” on Wikipedia you will find a definition that reads: “A breeder is a person who selectively breeds carefully selected mates, normally of the same breed to sexually reproduce offspring with specific, consistently replicable qualities and characteristics.” Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

It’s hard to imagine a more heart-warming sight.  As Christmas morning dawns, an excited child scrambles to the tree, unwrapping a large box tied with a bow.  Inside, his or her new puppy awaits.  Screams of delight ensue and the perfect Christmas morning Youtube video is born.

What a great present, right? Wrong. A dog is for life, not a holiday gift.

Puppies are not presents and should never be a surprise. Choosing to add a dog to your family is a long term commitment that requires lots of discussion, thought and research. So, whether you’re buying for a child or an adult, if you’re feeling the pressure to find the perfect last minute gift we recommend you consider a sweater instead. 

The year is coming to a close and externally, it was a very strange year from a lot of perspectives, particularly in the political arena. The media must have had a field day with all of the bizarre stories surfacing throughout the year that made watching the news or scanning the headlines like being hooked to the latest reality TV sensation. 

Sometimes CKC politics is also a strong contender to capture the attention of those seeking intrigue, titillation or even shock.    

I know that politics and government are two different things but sometimes it’s hard to separate the two.  And government politics can be tough when it comes to the policies and mandate of the CKC. But with the support and collaboration of my fellow members, the Board of Directors, and other involved parties, I’ve learned a lot about navigating the halls of government administration.  

It seems like only a couple of years ago I was organizing a few dogs and people for a photo shoot for the Canine Good Neighbour Handbook and Brochures.  All those dogs were early CGN titleholders and proved their good temperament and easy compatibility with their owners by behaving beautifully when faced with unique situations.  This is what the Canine Good Neighbour Program is all about. 

Those dogs were not models or trained canine actors; they were simply well socialized and moderately trained family pets.  Each of these dogs could pass the Canine Good Neighbour test but would not have been a star in the obedience ring. 

The Canine Good Neighbour evaluation is a basic test.  Can you and your dog be safe and welcome in public?  For the average dog to navigate the complexities and expectations placed on them by our increasingly controlled urban lifestyle requires a steady temperament, trust in humans, adaptability and tolerance for random instances of noise, people, trucks, buses, skateboards, toddlers, other dogs, elevators, and a bunch of other stuff that would fill a page.