Your+Dog++May+2019

Talking dogs NEWS. CHAT. INTERVIEWS. PICTURES. COMPETITIONS.

10 Your Dog May 2019

I

t

’

s a date

According to research from

Maguire Family Law, 15

per cent of Brits admit to

loving their pet more than

their partner, but only one

in 20 couples draw up a pet

custody agreement in the

event of a break-up. The

Wilmslow-based divorce

and family law practice has

created its own version of

a pet pre-nup, dubbed

a ‘pet-nup’.

DOG

DATA

● May 11 & 12: 8am

• 5pm: Dogfest 2019,
  Knebworth Park, Stevenage,
  Hertfordshire SG1 2AX.
  Join Professor Noel Fitzpatrick
  and Clare Balding at this canine
  festival, packed with have-a-go
  activities for you and your dog.
  ● Cost: £16.50 (adults);
  £10.50 (children).
  ● More info: http://www.dog-fest.
  co.uk

● May 18 & 19: 10am – 6pm:

Dogstival, Pylewell Park, East

End, Lymington, Hampshire

SO41 5SJ.

Don’t miss this new must-visit

canine extravaganza in the heart

of the New Forest, hosted by

Chris Packham.

● Cost: £13.50 (adults);

£7.50 (children).

● More info: http://www.dogstival.

co.uk

● May 19: 10am – 1pm:

London Walking Dog Show,

Kensington Gardens, London

W2 2UH.

Presented by Canine Partners,

this event combines a 2^1 / 2 -

walk through stunning

Kensington Gardens with fun

dog show classes dotted along

the route.

● Entry: £5; £3 per class.

● More info: http://www.eventbrite.

co.uk/e/canine-partners-

walking-dog-show-at-

kensington-gardens-

tickets-

● May 24 – 26: 9.30am – 4pm:

Three-day John Rogerson

CSI course (Murder, fun,

mystery & your dog), Loose,

near Maidstone, Kent.

Run by Family Dog Services,

don’t miss this rare chance to

learn new skills with leading dog

trainer John Rogerson. Find out

how to train your dog to become

a canine detective.

● Cost: £270.

● More info: http://www.

familydogservices.co.uk/

events/

WHAT’S ON

IN MAY?

The recent release of the Kennel Club’s

latest vulnerable breeds statistics

brings a few surprises, including the

iconic Scottish Terrier, entering the

‘At watch’ list for the i rst time, and

the face of Dulux paint, the Old English

Sheepdog, plummeting to an all-time low.

We asked readers what’s it’s like to own a vulnerable

breed...

“I love Curly Coated Retrievers as they

are very intelligent, loving, easy to train,

and versatile. Last year, Dorrie won both

her obedience classes at our club show,

but the breed also does rally, heelwork to

music, agility, and gundog training.

I don’t understand why the breed

isn’t popular — their coat is a lot easier

to take care of than any of the

Doodle cross-breeds.”

Jill Stubbs, owner of Curly Coated

Retriever Dorrie, a breed with just 70

puppy registrations in 2018.

Intelligent,

loving Dorrie.

Th

l

‘

th

She

NEWS

insight

“Otterhounds are laid-back,

undemanding, emotionally

rewarding, and one of the

most adorable,

gentle-natured breeds

in existence. Their three

favourite things are sleeping,

eating, and scenting — not

necessarily in that order.

They look untidy even when you groom them, which makes

them low-maintenance. Perdy is a big softie with the most

expressive eyes and gentle nature. Most people have never

heard of Otterhounds and I’ve lost count of how many people

ask if Perdy’s a Labradoodle. But if anyone is thinking of having

an Otterhound, don’t leave it too long — the choice may not

always be there.”

Faye Sutton, owner of Perdy, the granddaughter of her

i rst Otterhound, Izzy. There were just 39 Otterhounds

registered last year.

No, they’re not

Labradoodles!

“I’ve owned Scotties for 30 years

— they have such character and make

me smile. If you have one and accept

they’re stubborn and aren’t the most

obedient, then you’ll be hooked for

life. They don’t require a lot of exercise,

they’re not a sickly breed, and they

don’t shed, so it’s odd that they are out

of fashion. The 1930s/1940s was their

era — and I thought there might have

been a resurgence after Knopa, a perfect

American-bred Scottie from Russia, won

Crufts Best in Show in 2015, but it never happened.”

Karen Clayton, owner of two Scottish Terriers, 10-year-old

rescue Bonnie and Maisie, seven. The breed has declined

by 38 per cent in the last i ve years, with only 438 puppies

registered last year.

Lovely Scotties.

mile

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