Your Dog

Ladies and gentlemen, I have two huge pieces of news to share. Firstly I now consider myself fully recovered from the chaos of Crufts. I’m not proud to admit that it has taken me over two weeks to do so at the ripe age of 23, but here we are. Secondly, we have officially made it out the trenches of winter, and the sun is finally out. Gone are the days of 4pm darkness, wearing several layers, and not being able to pinpoint the location of your dog in that muddy, dark field. Like all changes of the season, it doesn’t come without some challenges to our dog’s wellbeing. Take a look at Jacqueline Boyd’s feature (page 24) with five simple steps to follow to keep your dog cool during…

A former West Midlands police officer is rediscovering independence and confidence thanks to a remarkable four-legged companion. Debbie Harris, 64, served a decade in response, family protection, domestic violence, and youth offending teams before being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2007. Symptoms like numb legs and facial weakness had appeared as early as her twenties. “My sister patting me would feel like pokers on my legs, and my face dropped,” Debbie recalls. Debbie left the force to care for her husband, Steve, a CID officer who survived a near-fatal collision in 2005. Seeking a quieter life, they moved to rural Wales, where their love of animals would lead to a lifeline for Debbie. Enter Rogue, a clever Cocker Spaniel and offspring of Steve’s dog, Drizzle. Early signs suggested Rogue…

Safer Inside is a dog safety campaign that was launched at Crufts 2026, by Tavo Pets, Vet Surgeon, Dr Scott Miller, and Dog Behaviourist, Adem Fehmi. It revealed that 26% of UK motorists who own a dog admit to travelling with their dog in this critically unsafe way. The campaign aims to raise awareness and change behaviour. Dr Scott Miller explains, “It’s a familiar sight on the UK’s roads, but a dog with its head sticking out of the car window is at risk of eye abrasions, debris or worse, jumping or falling from the moving car. Tavo’s research revealed why owners are putting their dog at risk and the most shocking to me was a combined 48% weren’t even thinking about the welfare of their dog at all. 28%…

A lifelong animal lover, Professor Jacobs has devoted his career and voluntary work to improving social welfare and human wellbeing through health and education. He now wants to lend his expertise to advance the cause of animal welfare. Professor Jacobs will join Chief Executive, Jo Rowland, who took on the CEO role at the 201-year-old charity in December last year, at a critical time for animal welfare. Professor Jacobs said, “I am honoured to have the opportunity to become chair of the RSPCA. My wife, Chris, and I have had a lifelong love for animals.…

Pet owners in Scotland see their furry friends as family members (80%) who make them laugh (59%) and bring the household together (43%), with over a third (35%) treating their pets “as a child”. The independent survey, commissioned by the National Pet Awards Scotland, highlights a growing trend in which pets continue to dominate the household pecking order. Nearly a quarter of Scottish pet owners (24%) spend between £120 and £200 a month on their pets, more than a standard monthly child allowance. Meanwhile, 5% of pet owners claim to spend more than £350 a month. “We’ve been hosting these awards in Scotland for the past three years and see the tremendous value that Scots place on their pets,” said Gail Murphy, Director of the National Pet Awards. “That’s why…

ITV Studios has announced that, to celebrate National Pet Day, it will be opening up the Coronation Street Experience to canine companions. The event, on Sunday 12 April, will allow your dog to pose outside the pub, wander past Roy’s Rolls, bark outside the bistro and canter down the cobbles. Special ‘Weatherfield Woof’ limited edition merchandise will be on sale on site, including dog bowls, branded treats, dog bandanas, as well as locally sourced coffees and puppuccinos. Tickets are £40 per person and £10 per dog. All proceeds from the tickets will be donated directly to Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. The Coronation Street Experience, originally opened in 2014, has been open to the public on weekends since then, attracting up to 1,000 people a day. However,…