Temperament: nature or nurture?

In issue 7 of Edition Dog (Apr 2019) I look at the importance of temperament and what can influence it.

A CRITICAL FRIEND

What would we do without vets? I know, it’s something most of us prefer not to think about. Of course we all have the odd grumble about the profession (and as a bird keeper/breeder I’ve had more than my fair share of negative experiences with vets who clearly hadn’t got a clue in this admittedly specialist field of expertise) but on the whole, in our hour of need, it’s certainly reassuring to have a good vet nearby.

However, I am increasingly alarmed by the rise of a certain degree of militancy within the veterinarian field. For some reason this thinking is more prevalent among the younger vets in our towns and cities although I certainly haven’t encountered it in our excellent local rural practice, which, contradicting what I have just written, is solely staffed by young vets!

THE REAL REASON PEOPLE ARE QUITTING

Published in my Dog World column ‘Crossing the headlines’ (19th October 2016), my article sparked a large debate – with hundreds of share and online comments – among exhibitors in response to my observations and suggestions regarding dog shows, breed standards, judging and exhibitor dissatisfaction.

One subject that has certainly got a lot of you talking on social media is the announcement of an idea that a reduction in the number of breed clubs through amalgamation could lead to higher show entries. I can see where those who support such a move are coming from but, like a lot of you, I think they are missing the point.

Show entries are falling for a whole host of complex reasons, reasons that have been fully discussed in this paper by various commentators for many, many years and frustratingly so many of the useful ideas put forward by people who really know what they are talking about have been dismissed or completely ignored.

KC – BLOW YOUR OWN TRUMPET

From my ‘Crossing the headlines’ column in Dog World (21st October 2015).

We recently bred our first litter of Boston Terriers and were lucky enough to have four strapping puppies born that have proved to be a constant source of joy and amusement but sadly (and all too soon) reality kicks in and one realises that these little, constantly-busy bodies will soon need homes of their own.

A GENEROUS SPIRIT FROM DOG FOLK

From my Dog World column ‘Crossing the headlines’ (10th December 2014).

Moving home should be a time full of happiness and excitement but our recent experience of it has been severely lacking in these particular elements; instead it has been a time filled with complications, delays and unforeseen problems – many of which could have been so easily avoided.

DOG CARTOONS – SEPTEMBER 2013

Check out my weekly cartoons appearing in Dog News (USA) from 6th September onwards

Here’s links & page numbers of cartoons in the September 2013 issues:

6th September 2013 (page 117) http://issuu.com/dognews/docs/090613 (Dachshund, Borzoi)

13th September 2013 (page 117) http://issuu.com/dognews/docs/091313 (Boston Terrier)

20th September 2013 (page 125) http://issuu.com/dognews/docs/092013 (Poodle, Pekingese, Cavalier)

27th September 2013 (page 110) http://issuu.com/dognews/docs/092713 (Basset Hound)