Dogs are truly the companions that everyone needs - they are faithful, caring and love you unconditionally. They have become a part of our day to day lives and it is more than hard to imagine life without them.

Angela and Neil Ibbotson, two experienced dog handlers and trainers in Sri Lanka to judge the recently concluded championships of the Ceylon Kennel Club, spoke to Daily Mirror Life on what they observed in Sri Lanka.

“One thing we observed was that the overall standard and conditioning of the dogs were not good,” said Neil. He added, “The handlers were very rough with the dogs and that led to many dogs losing out on points.”

“The first thing to make note of when breeding dogs is that they have a proper kennel. Anyone who keeps a number of dogs in kennels should make sure that the kennels are of an adequate size for the breed; preferably have an indoor area and an outside run and be easy to clean out. I prefer to allow the dogs to see each other but not have actual contact in case of any aggression.

Kennels used for the breeding of puppies should be completely separate from the main kennels as the bitch needs to be kept quiet and calm. The kennels should be of adequate size for the bitch but not too large and if the outside temperature is cold then a heat lamp will be required to keep the puppies warm. It is very important that the kennel is clean and easily cleaned with as little disturbance to the bitch and pups," says Angela.

Another important factor to consider is exercise for the dogs All breeds of dog are different and therefore one cannot give a standard time or routine for all dogs. Size and breed of dog makes a difference as a large dog from a working strain needs more exercise than a smaller toy dog. All dogs enjoy the freedom to run or to be walked as it is a social outing for them and beneficial to their health. Generally, taking a dog out once or twice a day for a walk or run keeps the dog fit and healthy and like humans works off any excess weight.

Puppies under six months old should not be exercised. A puppy’s bones does not form fully until it is 12 months old and exercise can affect the formation of the hip and elbows. This can lead to problems such as Hip Dysplasia and Arthritis in later years. Up until the age of six months very little exercise should be given and certainly no walks. Once a puppy is six months old short walks are acceptable and at 12 months the dog can begin to be exercised regularly.

Angela and Neil wish that Breeders and Kennels take extra care when handling dogs and made their comments in the best interests of the animals.
 

Text by Reihan Stephen