A round-up of beastly facts and news from here and overseas
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Perfect match The Pedigree Adoption Drive Doggelgänger campaign has been
awarded Gold at the 2012 CAANZ Media Awards. The Doggelgänger technology is a state-of-the-art human to canine pairing software designed to connect homeless dogs to their human doubles, developed by facial recognition experts NEC. The Pedigree Adoption Drive Charitable Trust utilised the Doggelgänger software to communicate the plight of some of the 11,000 Kiwi dogs abandoned by their owners each year. Source: Pedigree
Hygiene hypothesis They have long been thought of as man's best friend, but it seems
dogs could also have benefits for babies. Having a pet dog helps keep under-ones free from breathing problems and infections, studies suggest. Researchers found babies who lived with a dog spent fewer weeks with ear infections, coughs or running noses. They were also less likely to need antibiotics. Source: Daily Mail
Tell your dog you're pregnant Just as mums and dads-to-be attend parenting classes, dogs also need help
adapting to life with a new baby, says veterinarian Dr Lewis Kirkham. Dr Kirkham and his wife, Debra, who works at the University of Melbourne's Veterinary Hospital have developed the book Tell Your Dog You're Pregnant so that families can prepare their dog for the noises and household changes that a new baby brings, and hopefully build a strong bond between dog and baby. The book provides a step-by-step guide to prepare a dog for a baby in the house, including the latest in animal behavioural psychology to help owners introduce their baby to their pet, read and interpret a dog's body language and adjust the household to keep the dog calm. Source: University of Melbourne
Doggy disease We may claim to be a nation of dog lovers but 80 percent of Kiwi dogs
aged over three have gum disease according to a recent study. Left untreated, gum disease in dogs may lead to heart, kidney, liver failure and even death, but the study also revealed that 90 percent of Kiwi owners don't believe their dog has gum disease. Tips for dog dental healthcare: - Look out for signs that your dog may be suffering from dental problems. Signs include: reluctance to eat hard food, play with chew toys or drink cold water. - Good vet care should start when your pet is still a puppy. Take your dog to the vet annually for a dental health check-up. - Brush your pet's teeth every day if possible. - Be sure to use toothpaste specially made for pets, as human toothpaste contains ingredients that can be highly toxic to dogs. - Provide high-quality dental chews that help massage your pet's gums and keep their teeth clean. - Both dry and hard biscuits produce abrasion to help keep plaque to a minimum on the crown of each tooth Source: Impact PR
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