Zoomiez

26/04/2025

What do I do when Im not walking your dogs?
Amongst other things I run Plymouth Border Terriers for my favourite breed and organise meets ups once a month. Could life get any better!?!?
This month we went to Pugs and Pals Day Care Centre and had an amazing morning. When dreams become life 😍

25/04/2025

📢FUN FACT FRIDAY 📢
If you've never seen these dogs in action then you MUST take a look at some training or obedience videos.
The levels they can reach alongside their appearance makes them an absolute pleasure to watch.
Not a couch potato dog thats for sure!

24/04/2025

Thursday 24th April 🌤
🐾Lots of high spirits this morning at Plymbridge, very busy and lots of dogs running round, Bert and Ernie were very vocal as was Morag! Jello and Tess were happy playing in the water whilst Freida just wanted to bounce in and out to keep the momentum of chaos going. The 3 vocals were very happy when we bumped into Arthur unexpectedly with even more play!
🐾 What a contrast the second walk was! Henry, Whinnie and Morag had a wonderful time playing together in the river. Whinnie and Henry play so well together, a bit of teasing, growly barking, bouncing and running....so cute!

23/04/2025

It's here! Anne-Marie is launching The Hay Bale Hustle on May 1st. You can contact her here Zoomiez or message her on 07731430576 for more information.

If you have a terrier or your dog loves to chase small animals, this is for you. If you have a spaniel this is right up their street. If your dog would benefit from nose work, this is a great place to start. We can hide all sorts of scents in the maze. Scent work makes dogs happy, it fulfills them. PM her here Zoomiez to find out more.

23/04/2025

22/04/2025

Tuesday 22nd April 🌦
🐾Rufus, Meg Enzo, Bert and Ernie helped me explore the wooded section of Billacombe meadows this morning which offered great cover during a heavy shower!! It's always awesome to go off exploring new routes and Rufus loves to lead the way!!
🐾 Tess, Whinnie and Baxter also mixed it up today by heading into the wooded side of Plymbridge, which i must say was not just amazingly peaceful but looking gorgeous and green. Lots of chasing and play with plenty of swimming and water fun.

22/04/2025

As some of you know, I’ve been moving toward a career in dog training, and I’ve been incredibly fortunate to find an amazing mentor who's been generous with both his time and knowledge.

We’ve been working together for a while now, and in that time, he’s helped me grow in both skill and confidence. One of the highlights has been running reactivity classes together—it’s been so rewarding to witness the progress in both the dogs and their owners.

We even managed to capture a bit of footage during yesterday’s class to share a glimpse of the incredible transformations that can happen with the right support and guidance.

Thank you for the journey so far Nick of Well Behaved Dogs

19/04/2025

Have an amazing Easter weekend, remember its a Bank Holiday so there are no walks on Monday.
Have fun 🐣🐇🥚

19/04/2025

Helping local hero's that help our 4 legged friends 🧡
Please just share to see if we can help these guys find themselves a new family and to make people aware of this local facility 🐾❤️

There are currently no visitors for any of the stray dogs in this collage! 💔🐾

Both Clive and Piplup are older gents who really deserve their own sofa to enjoy their twilight years; they have both been patiently waiting in kennels for the ideal home for over seven months. 🏠

All of the dogs write up's can be found on the rehoming page of our website. 🐾https://foredownekennels.co.uk/rehoming/

Please tag and share with any one who could offer any of these pups a loving forever home. 🐾❤

18/04/2025

📢FUN FACT FRIDAY 📢
GSDs
1. They’re born to herd
The name is a bit of a giveaway, so you might not be surprised to learn that German Shepherds were originally tasked with watching over flocks of sheep and herding them from field to field. This job required lightning-fast reflexes and an ability to run at top speed when needed.

In fact, German Shepherds are capable of reaching speeds of 30-32 mph at full sprint. To put that in perspective, they could easily outrun Usain Bolt, who tops out at 27.78 mph. However, they prefer to trot rather than run while herding. Their speed and agility have made them a go-to-dog for herding sheep, but there’s so much more to this breed than just rounding up sheep. These brave dogs will fight to protect their herd, and these instincts make them loyal and fierce working guard dogs.

2. They’re a dog of many names
These days, in the United States, we call them German Shepherds, but that wasn’t always the case.

After WW1, a time of political tension, many countries avoided anything German, so the AKC began calling them Shepherd Dogs in 1917. In Europe, they became Alsatian Wolf Dogs.

Many years later, both Americans and Europeans restored the original name. Now, the breed proudly stands as the German Shepherd once again.

3. They’re prone to some inherited and genetic diseases
Like most pure-bred dogs, these pups are susceptible to some common inherited and genetic diseases:

Degenerative Myelopathy: A degenerative weakness in the hind legs. Luckily, DNA tests can help breeders identify and avoid passing it on.
Von Willebrand Disease: An inherited bleeding disorder caused by the missing Von Willebrand Protein Factor.
Exocrine Pancreatic insufficiency: A degenerative disease of the pancreas.
Hip Dysplasia and elbow dysplasia: Painful joint problems that can make walking difficult. These conditions are genetic.
Bloat: A life-threatening condition where the dog’s stomach fills with gas and fluid. Unfortunately, German Shepherds are predisposed to this condition.
Before you bring home your new best friend, find a responsible breeder who will have certifications and testing results for any of these genetic predispositions.

4. They served bravely in both World Wars
In WW1, German Shepherds served alongside their German soldier counterparts as Red Cross dogs, rescuers, guard dogs, messengers, and sentries. (They even carried ammunition.)

They also led wounded and blind soldiers to safety for medical treatment. In 1917, a dog named Filax of Lewanno was honored at Westminster as a war hero after leading 54 soldiers to safety.

Their bravery and ability to perform under pressure impressed soldiers on both sides. In WWII, the United States also employed them. The U.S. military set up German Shepherd dog training centers, deploying them in what they called War Dog Platoons to work with soldiers on the battlefield. In all, there were 15 such platoons, seven in Europe and eight in the Pacific.

Later on, these four-legged heroes continued to serve in the Korean and Vietnam Wars for the United States.

5. They have an official sport: Schutzhund
If you really want to see a German Shepherd at their best, check out Schutzhund — a sport designed to showcase their natural abilities. This sport puts dogs and their handlers through a series of demanding tests, including evaluations and training in the following categories:

Intelligence
Desire to work
Bond with their handler
Courage
Protective instincts
Trainability
Sense of smell
Perseverance
It’s like the Olympics, but for German Shepherds. With Schutzhund, they can show off their incredible skills and athleticism, and compete with other top dogs in the world.

17/04/2025

Thursday 17th April 🌤
🐾a great walk around central park with Henry, Bert, Ernie, Jello and Freida. Henry took full advantage of the water, Freida was quite playful once she settled down, Jello has become quite attentive to my side 😂 and the sausages are always looking for something mischievous to do 😂
They all make every walk new, different, challenging, easy, and it keeps my job interesting. I love this fact as it's never a dull, boring day.

16/04/2025

Wednesday 16th April 🌞
🐾This morning Morag joined Jello and Baxter for a mini adventure, we tried a new walk and it turned out to be a track between farmers fields. We had a great time, although not the usual it gave opportunity for a calm sniffy walk with no one else around. Our mission for a new amazing walk continues. But may I add they were awesome and accommodating, although Jello wasn't fully impressed with his post rolling mini shower!! 💩😂😂
🐾Arlo and his friends (Morag, Blue, Trixie, Hunter, Bowie, Ralph and Dixie) enjoyed so many aspects of our evening walk, swimming, hunting, digging, chewing, chasing, sniffing, running, playing.....they were all living their absolute best lives ❤️

15/04/2025

Tuesday 15th April 🌧☔️
🐾 The definate upside to a wet walk is just how quiet it is, we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves and it made it so much more relaxing!
The weather did improve about 15 minutes in and the dogs didn't seem to mind too much, even Enzo accepted his fate!
Everyone seems to be coming on so well and recall is pretty good in this environment. The group even played together (with each other as a posed to near each other) they had such a great time.

14/04/2025

Monday 14th May ☁️
🐾 what a lovely morning walk at Central park. Meg was practising walking to heel and learning not to jump up, she also did well with some leave commands. Jello absolutely loves to show off his focused heel, infact sometimes he won't leave my side to practice his recall, he will however to practice rolling!! Bert and Ernie got to practice some recall too. A bit of fetch for fun and barking time to clear the cobwebs, everyone went home happy 😊

11/04/2025

🐾💬FUN FACT FRIDAY🐀🐾
I'm going to start doing facts about a breed each week, it's only right I start with my beloved and favourite breed, you guessed it....

The Border Terrier!!!
I also run Plymouth Border Terriers & Baxter's Border View.

Border Terriers are energetic, intelligent, and alert dogs. Their friendly and affectionate nature makes them a welcome addition to any household.

Weight: 4–12 kg
Height: 28–30 cm
Lifespan:12–15 yr
(These are breed AVERAGES)

Breed Group: Terrier

Interested in discovering if your dog is a Border Terrier?

Border Terrier Traits:
General Appearance:
Border Terriers are medium-boned dogs with narrow shoulders, short, muscular necks, and brawny hindquarters.

Coat and Colouring:
The Border Terrier’s coat comes in either red, tan and grizzle (black hairs in the coat), grizzle, or wheaten. Combinations of these colors, black points, and black masks are also possible.

Distinctive Physical Traits:
Border Terriers have a characteristic otter-like head that’s relatively broad and flat. Their ears are small and V-shaped.

Border Terrier Temperament:
Border Terriers are happy-go-lucky, social dogs that provide their people with endless entertainment. They’re good with kids and friendly toward other dogs due to being on hunts. But because of their background as small animal hunters, they may chase little pets and wildlife. For the same reason, this breed also tends to bark and dig.

Border Terriers are diligent workers and good-tempered, affectionate companions at home.

Border Terrier History:
The Border Terrier originated in the borderlands that separate England and Scotland in the early 18th century. Farmers used these scrappy little dogs for ratting in the barn and hunting hill fox.

When hunters went after a fox, these dogs accompanied them and chased foxes down into their underground dens. Border Terriers also proved to be skilled at hunting otter, rabbit, and badger. Hunters could identify where their Border Terriers were by listening for their barking. This is why terriers were bred to have the higher pitched bark so they could be heard when they went to ground.

Over time, the breed became a popular family pet. The Kennel Club officially recognized the Border Terrier 1920. And the border terrier club was the first recognised breed club.

Border Terrier Care
Nutrition:
Border Terriers need a high-quality dog food that is age-appropriate—whether it’s commercially manufactured or homemade (under a veterinarian’s supervision and approval).

Some dogs are prone to becoming overweight. It’s important to monitor the amount of food you give them and reduce portions if your pup gains weight. Also, keep in mind that giving too many treats in addition to regular meals can contribute to obesity.

Grooming:
Like most double-coated breeds, Border Terriers shed seasonally. Most of the year, a quick brushing every week or two keeps their coats in tip-top condition. But during seasonal shedding periods, plan on a daily 30-minute session to strip out dead hair. Stripping mimics the pulling out of hair that would have happened in the brambles and undergrowth.

You can skip the bath, though. The Border Terrier’s coat naturally repels dirt, and bathing actually impairs this ability.

Exercise
Border Terriers love being outdoors, and many activities make them happy pups. Vigorous backyard play sessions, romps in the yard, and brisk walks are all great ways to provide needed exercise.

But remember, this breed is hardwired to chase small animals. So, time outside should be in an enclosed area or on a leash. Although as always there are exceptions!

Border Terriers also seem to enjoy dog sports such as agility, tracking, flyball, rally, and competitive obedience.

Training
Border Terriers are eager to learn and respond well to reward-based training using their favorite treats. Gentle training—rather than a harsh approach—works best for this.

Border Terrier Genetic Health Conditions:
Shaking Puppy Syndrome (Discovered in the Border Terrier)
Spongiform LeucoEncephaloMyelopathy (SLEM) is a disorder commonly known as shaking puppy syndrome. Affected pups show severe body tremors, which are generally first noted when the puppy begins to try to walk.