National microchipping month blog

Hopefully by now you have seen information in the press and radio that June is National microchipping month. I just wanted to say how important it is to have your pet microchipped. Watch this great video telling you about the process of microchipping.

As a greyhound from a retired Greyhound trust I'm chipped. I was registered in Ireland so I also have I.D. tattoos in both ears and Star being british is only tattooed in 1 ear. Once a dog is chipped it is the reponsibilty of the owner to keep all you address and owner details up to date. Unlike a collar a microchip can't be removed.

That's where the My Dog App is really useful it has a my pet dog lost alert feature. If your dog has premium Petlogmembership you can alert authorised agents within a 30 mile radius from 1 click on your smartphone. Even better news during the national microchipping month you can upgrade to premium Petlog online for £7.50 instead of the normal £15. My Kent Grandad just got a new yorkie and I upgraded little Betty's pet log details. After the upgrade you have unlimited lifetime change of address details and you can add holiday and family addresses.

The chip is the size of a grain of rice and is fitted in minutes and lasts a lifetime but please remember to keep your details up to date and it's the owners responsibility.

Microchipping has been in the press recently with pressure to make all dogs young and old have a compulsory microchip. Please take a couple minutes to do the survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Petlogmicrochipping

If your beloved pet isn't chipped I hope this blog has encouraged you to get one very soon.

My dog Uk Blog

I though it was time for me to tell you about a great app my hooman has on his iPhone. It's called - My Dog Uk app. Before I start the great news is it's free and available on google, android and iPhone. It's also in association with petlog and the kennel club.

This is the home screen with my photo as the background. I want to talk first about the best feature the lost pet alert section. Have you ever thought how many phone calls or visits it would take if you lost your pet. With this app if your dog is registered to the premium petlog service you can notify your dog is lost from the app and they will immediately notify registered agencies such as vets and dog wardens within a 30 mile radius. No need for all those calls.

Another great section is the out and about section with 25,000 dog friendly places in 20 categories.

It also has a place to put your dogs profile and allows multiple dog profiles. Add photos to a wall and summit them to my dog photo wall, pet care, vet care, training advice a lot of features that you may normally need other apps for. The vets information could be useful if you are out and get a problem as it uses the gps on your phone and tells you the nearest vet.

My hooman has lots of dog apps on his phone but this is his favourite. Try it as its fab and better still it's free!

Hythe Kent Greyhound walk blog

Another catch up blog today telling my adventures at Hythe in Kent. This took place 17th March 2012.
We were already visiting Grandad in Kent so took the motorway and after 50 minutes arrived in Hythe. Dad won the car competition on who could spot the sea first. We managed to park on road on the seafront and it was freeee. Hoomans were beginning to get worried as there didn't seem like anyone was turning up and not walked from there before didn't know if we were in the right place.

Star was looking for me as Mom walked me on the beach. The bad news is its all stoney Rolo's don't like stones! 👎
We hoomans sat on the wall talking to the other owners why we sniffed butts and did our doggie intro's. Turned out one of the hounds was a twitter buddie Georgie @GeorgieGreyhoun (yes that's how he spells it ran out of letters). As you can see below he's a handsome chap!

Even though it was cloudy when we left it brightened up. We walked along the seafront. Along with one of the kennel dogs that is looking for a forever home.
Kent Greyhound rescue (@KentGreyhound)are based in Hythe a registered charity run purely by volunteers dedicated to find retired greyhounds new homes. Their hounds have previously raced at Sittingbourne Kent. They do occasionally rehome lurchers and other sight hounds.

At the end of the seafront was a kiosk selling ice cream coffees etc. Dad fed us some treats and we posed for photos with Georgie. Cheese!

After the photos we walked back down the seafront and after a brief chat with Georgie at the end we left. Hoomans then went to the new dobbies garden centre and got us some doggie ice cream. We got to try the carrot, apple and banana flavour. It was very nom nom!

Crufts review blog

I apologise guys I've been a bit behind with my blogging. But I thought I would write a review of Crufts.
Firstly a big congratulations to Elizabeth the Llaso Apso who beat over 21,000 dogs to be crowned best in show 2012. She came from Coventry which is only 20 minutes away from me so you never know I may see her if I'm walked in that area. Although I think she is too pampered to be seen out on a walk.

My hoomans hadn't been to Crufts for 8 years and forgot how much walking there is across the 5 halls and now the main show rink is in the arena even further. The arena makes a much better viewing experience for the agility, flyball, best in group and show.
In hall 3 my hoomans watched Traci and her dog Mouse take part in their bronze good citizen award.

Both Mouse and Traci were fabulous and I'm glad to say after the heelwork, grooming, recall, health questions, 1 minute stay (I'm a long way off that 10 seconds maybe) and others they passed (2 out of 9 passed) well done guys !
In the same ring later on the hoomans also watched so demonstrations on heelwork to music. This dog held the ring with his paw. Whilst the hooman crawled through it.

In the main arena was the agility. As the hoomans walked to the arena they walked past the studio set up for the excellent more4 shows that were on every night.

It was strange seeing the stage with no one in it. Hoomans found it fun to watch the staff altering the set up for the agility course and then the hooman competitors walking through the course without their dogs working out which way they were going to send their dog in the correct direction.
If you watch the video looks a bit like they are dancing.

There was some great special offers to be had. Hoomans got Star and I a goodie bag each from fish 4 dogs which had free salmon oil and food samples in Nom Nom.
But one mustn't forget the 21,000 dogs on show patiently waiting in their holding kennels prior to being judged. Dogs had to stay until 4 pm to before they could go home so visitors could see them. Incidentally one of my pals George The Lad was on the welsh terrier stand on Sunday in the discover dogs area. Hoomans went to see him he was very tired but his hoomans were happy after Dad gave them some vouchors for 20% off his food.

This year was the introduction of independent vet inspection to verify the dogs met best in breed. Unfortunately 6 out of 15 tested failed. I agree with the kennel club that only health dogs should be rewarded with best in breed.

Crufts made the most of the internet with youtube showing live footage.
Crufts YouTube channel

You can still watch the videos including excellent clips of the funniest bits of Crufts.


Hoomans loved Crufts as I'm sure all
the other visitors did. Can't wait to go back next year.

Utility group blog

So I've already talked about the toy group. The utility group contains dogs that the kennel group have problems putting into a group.

The Dalmatian was originally used to run along side horse drawn carriages but you don't see many of those around anymore.
They could always rename it the dogs from a over the world group.

The Keeshond.

Boston terrier

Japenese spitz.
Others include japenese Akita, Tibetan spaniel and terrier, Korean Jindo, The utility group does contain the great British Bulldog and it's French version.

Let's hope it's warm in the NEC as one poor dog - the Mexican Hairless will feel the cold!

As well as watching the breed judging there is also the arena with 6,000 seats showing - agility, heelwork to music, flyball and west midland police display team.
In the good citizen dog scheme ring is puppy foundation display, pets as therapy, dogs for the disabled.
In the young kennel club ring obedience and handling skills
In the dogs activity ring agility heelwork to music, bloodhounds and gundogs.

I hope the hoomans enjoy themselves we are looking forward to seeing our treats.

Crufts starts tomorrow blog

Where do you start talking about the greatest dog show in the world!

I will start by being selfish - what will they buy Star and I from the 400 trade stands ? Hoomans have been trying my cool coat on Star and realised I need the bigger size. The cool coats are fab soak them in water and keeps me cool for 4 hours whilst the sun evaporates the water.

That means a trip to the XtraDog stand hall 1 stand 125 plus more freshner pads for our dicky bags.

Thursday the first day means judging is toy and utility groups. The toy group has the smallest dogs in the competition. The ever popular king Charles spaniel.

But also some more unusual breeds such as the Cotten De Tulear, Pomeranian, Affenpinscher and the Pug.

Dad is a tall hooman 6.ft1 but out of the small dogs, he loves the Chihuahua. At Crufts they judge both the short and long haired versions. Having a size 10 foot he would probably tread on one.

Whereas as Mom will want to see the small version of me the Italian Greyhound.

You can still get tickets and under 8's get in free.

RGT collection Sutton Coldfield blog

Today Star and I went on our first greyhound awareness and collection in Sutton Coldfield. Sutton is only 4 miles away and where Dad did his A levels (that's learning without treats how silly is that!).

We parked in the main car park after a close shave where Dad accidentally drove up the down slope. Parking on level 5 meant the stairs brought us out by where the stand is. 5 floors is a long way so we got the lift !

As we got in 2 other greyhounds joined us. Oh no it was our reflection on the mirror but we both looked anyway.
The stand was under cover outside WH Smiths so it was very busy.

Every hour or so more dogs turned up . Zac below was with Heather who organised it so stayed all day.

We had lots of people stroking us and ask do we need much walking. So I decided to show my real nature and lie down.

After two hours and hopefully convincing some people to adopt a greyhound and donations we left.
Having stood in 1 place for a while went for a walk in Newhall park.
Until next time keep barking !