We were delighted when The Independent newspaper chose to feature one of our exclusive Red Star dog tags in its Christmas gift guide.
Red Star dog tags make a great, personalised gift for your dog – a lovely way too to convey how you feel about your dog, or to capture your dog’s attitude to life! And because we stamp your contact details on the back they are not only fun, but practical too.
[PLEASE NOTE THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.]
We’re pretty excited to announce that next week we are running our first-ever Facebook photo contest. The *fabulous* prize is a Creature Clothes leather collar. Any colour, any design. Winner’s choice. What dog doesn’t need an extra collar?!
There’s also a ‘Pot Luck’ prize of a Tuffy Crab – all entries go in the Pot Luck pot, so it is definitely worth entering!
So,… to the rules:
– The theme is: ‘My, what big teeth you have…Mr/s Wolf!’
– Post your dog’s photo on the Merry Dogs Facebook page. Make sure it bears a vague resemblance to the theme…though we are not too strict! Funny is good, as is sincere. Small teeth are as welcome as big teeth! All entries must feature a dog and be your own original composition.
– There are two ways you can win:
1. To win the collar – The photo with the most comments wins (one comment per person per day) – note, that is COMMENTS** and not likes.
2. Pot Luck – all entries go in the Pot Luck pot, regardless of artistic merit or power to amuse, and the first to come back out wins a Tuffy Crab.
So, get your friends, family, forum buddies and workmates commenting on their favourite pic (yours, of course). And why not be sportsmanlike, and comment on any other entries that catch your eye!
– The contest runs from Monday 8 November 00.01 am to Friday 12 November, 9pm. The winners will be announced on Monday 15 November.
Good luck, and happy snapping…!
** Comments = words, phrases and exclamations that make sense!
NORMAN WEARS: Paco Collars Li’l Pickles collar and Red Star Tags sterling silver tag. He lounges comfortably on his Dotty feather dog bed.
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NAME: Norman
BREED: Dachshund
FAVOURITE ACTIVITY: Llllicking – I lllove it. Lllloads.
BEST FRIEND: Mummy, of course. There are no secrets between us. Though a pair of long-legged bitches of my acquaintance, Urchin and Wurm, have to come a close second.
BAD HABITS: Do I look like I have any bad habits?! No, I do not eat anything that’s bad for me…honest!
GOOD HABITS: A little Dachs-y grunt if something really pleases me. Always popular with the ladies!
ACTOR WHO WILL PLAY YOU IN THE FILM OF YOUR LIFE: Has to be Taylor Lautner – like me, he’s black and tan and buff and young.
FAVOURITE DACHSHUND QUOTE: “Being the owner of dachshunds…a book on dog discipline becomes a volume of inspired humor…I would rather train a striped zebra to balance an Indian club than induce a dachshund to heed my slightest command.” (E.B. White, author of Charlotte’s Web)
Our new, occasional series, The DOG FILES, features Merry Dogs’ furry customers and tells you all about their likes, dislikes, friends, attitude and ambitions. If you’d like us to feature your dog, send a picture to info@merrydogs.co.uk, and we’ll be in touch!
Our first entry in The DOG FILES will be listed here tomorrow!
The ever-popular Union Jack dog bed has just taken on a whole new, more feminine look!!
Made from cerise pink and white faux suede, with a pink fleece underside, this brand new colourway from Creature Clothes is available in small, medium and large sizes. It is hand-made in the UK from top-quality materials.
We like our dog beds to be functional as well as beautiful, and so both the cover (which is zipped) and inners (two 15 tog duvet pads) are machine washable.
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A labradoodle bitch from New York who goes by the name of Martin has been dazzling the city in recent months with her amazing feats of balance and artistry. We couldn’t resist calling her up for one of our five-minute interviews, to find out more about this skilled performance artist.
MD: Hi Martin, welcome to the Merry Dogs blog. Can you tell us a little about what first inspired you to take to the sky?
Martin: Sure. I started jumping atop things for the view. I’ve always wished I was taller, basically.
MD: What’s your favourite balance, where’d you perform it, and what made it so special?
Martin: Oh, I don’t know, it doesn’t much matter to me where I stand. I’m really only interested in making a good photograph, and that’s so subjective isn’t it? I do tend to prefer the ones where my tongue is sticking out.
MD: What artistic and practical challenges have you faced when choosing your performance space?
Martin: Gravity can be a big problem. That’s the main challenge.
MD: Where in the world would you most like to balance, and why?
Martin: I’m quite partial to my living room couch, but nobody seems to be very interested in pictures of that! Hmm, you’re in the UK? I suppose I wouldn’t mind trying my luck with Nelson’s Column someday!
MD: Thanks for talking to us, Martin. It’s been a joy to watch a true artist at work.
Martin: Cheers, Merry Dogs. Before I go, let me make it clear that I can’t actually type (I’ve delegated that job to my owner) – now that would be a trick…
If you would like to see more of Martin’s balance portfolio check out her flicker page here.
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Posted by: Merry Dogs – quality dog collars, dog beds and dog ID tags
Images used with permission. Interview copyright Merry Dogs.
These beautiful early twentieth century collars were sold this year by Bonhams New York. Finely decorated with brass cattle and farmers, they show great workmanship and design, and clearly belonged to valued working dogs. In fact they are designed for Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, a breed that is rare in the UK.
The Swiss Mountain Dog is a tricolour, short-coated breed and one of the 10 largest dog breeds, the males weighing about 140lb (64kgs). It is both strong and athletic, and is believed to have been instrumental in the development of both the Rottweiler and the St Bernard. Common in Switzerland in the nineteenth century, it was used by farmers and tradesmen to guard farms, herd cattle and pull carts.
Traditionally, Swiss collars were hand-crafted in the Appenzell region of Switzerland and used for the colourful cattle drives that took place in the Summer and Autumn. Herdsmen would wear their best ‘tracht’ or traditional dress and their dog, usually the Swiss Mountain Dog, would be decorated with collars such as these. The cattle would be adorned with colourful traicheln or glocken (alpine cowbells) for their journey up the mountain and back again at the end of the season.
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Posted by Merry Dogs – quality dog collars, dog beds and dog ID tags
One of the best things about dog-ownership is that you can take your dog out and about with you. Cats, rabbits, birds and horses mostly have to stay at home, but dogs love to go with you, wherever you go.
As we are feeling in the holiday mood we thought we’d highlight some of our great summer products:
This dog grooming travel kit has to be sniffed to be believed – fresh, natural scents including rosemary, lavender and peppermint. In this handy re-usable pouch you’ll find anti-itch oatmeal shampoo, fur butter deep conditioner, a de-tangling spritzer and an aromatic mister for smelly-dog emergencies.
Everyone likes a new outfit for their holiday, and we have just what your dog needs to impress the girls (or boys)! How about our Beach stripe fabric dog collars:
For even the shortest trip you need to make sure water is available, and our water bowls will fit a range of activities:
Planet Dog foldable dog travel bowl is a fabric bowl in 2 sizes that is ideal for bags and backpacks. There is also a matching travel food bag, that can be used for food, treats, doggy bags – great for gathering all your dog’s bits & pieces in one place.
The Tazlab Aqua-fur foldable travel dog bowl is flexible, foldable and lightweight, but opens up to look like a traditional bowl, so is ideal for dogs that don’t take to fabric bowls. It’s made from food-grade silicon and comes in some great colours.
If you are travelling any distance by car, the Road Refresher dog bowl can be placed in with your dog and its anti-spill technology means the water stays in the bowl when you corner!
And of course holiday time is fun time, so you’ll need some dog-friendly, hardwearing toys – Katie’s Bumpers tug toys are lightweight, ideal for carrying, and can be used for tugging, throwing and retrieving. Planet Dog’s colourful dog balls are bouncy, chewy and mint-scented, just right for chasing and catching.
Have a great summer!
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Posted by Merry Dogs – quality leather dog collars, dog ID tags, dog toys
Bullies have THE most fantastic doggy smiles! Merry Dogs recently sponsored a photo competition on the Bull Breeds Online web forum, for which the theme was ‘Biggest smile’. The winner, shown above, was Captain (owned by Lynn and Jim Caswell), who was sadly lost in an accident in 2009.
As a tribute to Captain, the prize (a Celtic leather collar) is to be worn by their bitch Nealie, who looks particularly beautiful modelling it here.
The Caswells, based in Georgia, USA, bring all their dogs up following a natural rearing programme. You can read more about their dogs, and their approach to breeding, rearing and caring for Staffordshire Bull Terriers, at Wavemaker Staffords.
It was champagne and tap water all round when four-legged and two-legged friends rubbed shoulders at the 2010 Dogs Trust Honours on 3rd June. Joining celebrities and VIPs were the hirsute winners of five categories, chosen from over 300 entrants from across the UK.
Guests enjoyed nibbles and kibbles galore at the glitzy ceremony, which tool place at London’s Jasmine Studios. The event was created by Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, to spotlight the countless ways in which dogs enrich our lives.
Among those attending were JoAnne Good and Anna Webb (left), of ‘Barking at the Moon’, BBC Radio London’s doggy radio feature. Anna’s dog Molly looked dressed for the part in her Paco Collars ‘Hearts’ design collar and lead!
Speaking at the awards, Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust CEO, said:
“Dogs are so often the unsung heroes of peoples’ lives, and the Honours pays tribute to all those magnificent mutts who make life more joyful. It’s a world away from the traditional dog show – in fact it’s more like a hairy hybrid of The Pride of Britain awards and the Oscars. The Honours shows that canine beauty really is all about the heart.”
And the winners are:
The Sun Hero Dog Award – For acts of bravery including dogs from the police and armed forces
This will be announced soon in The Sun – keep your eyes peeled!
Pets at Home Dogged Devotion Award – for dogs who have provided emotional support for their owners
Treacle was rehomed from Dogs Trust Kenilworth and is the constant companion of seven year old Jasmine Dowd, who has to undergo 12 hours of dialysis, as well as tube-feeding, every night. Amid the machinery and medicine lies Treacle, her best friend. Jasmine is able to sleep through all of her treatment as long as Treacle is on her bed, providing plenty of fun and cuddles.
Technik Technology Golden Oldie Award – a lifetime achievement award for dogs over seven years
Sadly, this year’s winner is a posthumous one, as 15 year old Tim died just two weeks before the Honours. He is sorely missed by owner Lorraine Coultas and all the staff and residents at Meadowlodge in North Yorkshire. Labrador Tim lived in a residential home where he was a great comfort to the elderly residents, many of whom have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. He also knew when someone was in extra need of attention and used to lay right beside them, sleeping in their room if necessary.
Petplan Dog Star in the Making Award – celebrates those talented canines who truly shine in the spotlight
Ladies and gentlemen, Adora has just left the building! This adorable Akita lit up the stage with her debut performance as Sandy in the West End production of Annie. Owner Robert Stuhldreer sent Adora to audition when he spotted an advert in his local paper and, despite having had no prior acting experience, Adora impressed the producers and won the role.
Dogs Trust Celebrity Canine Award – for dogs in the public eye
Tilly, a Jack Russell Terrier who is owned and doted upon by actor and Over the Rainbow judge John Partridge.
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Posted by Merry Dogs – quality dog collars, dog beds and dog toys
