Guides
Practical guides for choosing, raising and caring for a dog, written from veterinary research, welfare charities and breed standards. Each guide lists its sources.
- Adopting an adult or rescue dogWhy an adult or rescue dog can be a great choice, how adoption works, what to ask the rescue, and how to help your new dog settle in during the first days and weeks.6 min read
- Caring for a senior dogWhen a dog becomes 'senior', the changes to expect, and how to adapt food, exercise, home and vet care, recognise arthritis and dementia, and judge quality of life.7 min read
- Dog food basics: how to read a label and how much to feedHow to read a dog food label, what 'complete' really means, how to work out portions and calories, check your dog's body condition, and use treats safely.9 min read
- Dogs and children: safety rules for familiesKeeping children and dogs safe together: why bites happen, the warning signs dogs give, rules for children, supervision, babies, visitors and choosing a family dog.7 min read
- Dogs in hot climates: choosing a breed and preventing heatstrokeWhich dogs cope best with heat, what veterinary research says about heatstroke, how to prevent it day to day, and the first aid that gives a dog the best chance.9 min read
- Exercise needs by breed typeHow much exercise different types of dog need, from herding and gundog breeds to hounds, terriers and toy breeds, plus puppies, seniors, heat and mental work.7 min read
- Grooming at home: coat types, nails, teeth and earsHow often to brush each coat type, how to trim nails safely, why daily tooth brushing matters, when (and when not) to clean ears, and how to make grooming positive.6 min read
- Guard dogs and livestock guardians: what owners must knowHow livestock guardian dogs and protection breeds differ, how working guardians are raised, the problems to expect, and what to consider before choosing a guarding breed.8 min read
- How to choose your first dogA practical, step-by-step method for choosing your first dog: your time, home and budget, energy and size, grooming, training, health, and where to find a dog.7 min read
- How to recognise a responsible breederThe signs of a responsible dog breeder, the questions to ask before and during a visit, the health tests to request, and the red flags of puppy farms and dealers.7 min read
- Leaving your dog alone: preventing separation-related problemsWhy many dogs struggle when left alone, the hidden signs of distress, how to teach a puppy or a new dog to cope, and what to do if your dog already has a problem.6 min read
- Living with a dog in an apartmentHow to choose a dog that will be happy in an apartment, and the daily routine, exercise, toilet breaks, noise and alone-time training that make apartment life work.7 min read
- Low-shedding dogs and allergies: what is true and what is notAre some dog breeds hypoallergenic? What research on dog allergens really shows, why low-shedding still helps with hair at home, and practical steps for allergic owners.6 min read
- Neutering and spaying: pros, cons and timingWhat neutering involves, its proven benefits, the risks and open questions, why timing can matter for larger breeds, and how to decide with your vet.7 min read
- The sighthounds of North Africa and the Sahel: Sloughi, Azawakh and their historyThe history, appearance, temperament and care of the Sloughi and the Azawakh, two ancient sighthounds of North Africa and the Sahel, and how they differ from the Saluki.7 min read
- The real costs of owning a dogEvery category to budget for over a dog's life, from setting up to food, vet care, insurance, grooming and boarding, and why size, breed and health change the total.6 min read
- Travelling with your dog: car, plane and hot weatherHow to make car journeys safe and calm, prevent car sickness, protect your dog from heat on the road, prepare for travel abroad, and when to leave your dog at home.7 min read
- Vaccinations and parasite prevention: a yearly calendarWhich vaccines every dog needs, how the puppy course works, how often adults need boosters, and how to plan worm, flea, tick, lungworm and heartworm protection.7 min read
- What to buy before your puppy comes homeA practical shopping list and home preparation checklist for a new puppy: sleeping area, food, identification, walking gear, grooming, toys, safety and the vet.6 min read
- Your puppy's first 30 days: training and routineA week-by-week plan for your puppy's first month at home: settling in, routine, toilet training, socialisation, first training, time alone and the vet.8 min read