Cane Corsos are one of our favourite breeds for family protection work. When well-bred, they offer everything we look for in a working dog. At its best, the Cane Corso is highly intelligent, trainable, affectionate, courageous, and protective. It is a formidable guardian that is equally comfortable as a family…
The Kong is perhaps one of the best ever designed dog toys, and something we would recommend all owners invest in. We have used Kongs extensively, and can personally attest to just how good they are. The basic Kong is a rubber chew toy made up of three increasingly small…
Despite their popularity, dogs may cause allergic reactions in a number of humans. While this allergy’s exact triggers are still being researched, likely key allergens are proteins found in dogs’ saliva, dander, or even urine. Dander, or the material dogs shed from their bodies along with fur, is the most…
Obesity is one of the most dangerous, yet common health conditions which afflict dogs in the UK. As in humans, it is commonly caused by an accumulated calorie surplus, as well as occasional hormonal imbalances. According to the British Royal Veterinary College, obese dogs have shortened life spans, reduced quality…
In the UK, a number of Staffordshire Bull Terriers have been rescued by police forces and retrained as search dogs. As well as attracting significant media interest, many of these rescued dogs have been highly successful and shown that shelters can be viable places to source working dogs from. While…
The American Bulldog is a large, mastiff-type working breed with roots in the Deep South’s farms and ranches. The descendant of English Bulldogs bought to North America by Anglo immigrants, it was originally used for blood sports such as dogfighting and bull-baiting, as well as hunting feral pigs. Pigs were…
Many individuals or families approach us seeking a protection dog when they already own other pets. These have been as diverse as gerbils, rabbits, guinea pigs, and cats. In such cases, one of their first questions is whether or not out protection dogs can live with other animals. While each…
Muzzle training is a fundamental responsibility for all dog owners. Put simply, it is the process of training your dog to willingly accept a muzzle which limits their ability to bite. There are a number of times when this may be necessary such as in certain public spaces, or when…
How much exercise dogs need is a hotly contested subject, especially with working breeds. We are often asked how much exercise our dogs need, usually by prospective first-time owners, or individuals and families who have never had a working dog before. Speaking in very broad terms, our advice would be…
As lifelong dog lovers, we want the best for our four-legged friends. We hope to give them the happiest and healthiest lives possible, and view them in a similar light to human family members. An exercise we personally found helpful to focus how we treat our dogs is imagining what…
